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Senate advances bill to remove human-relations course requirement for substitute teachers after heated floor questioning
Summary
Senators advanced LB10 22 to engrossing after a floor exchange about whether removing a human-relations course would ease barriers for substitute teachers or strip useful classroom management training. The bill advanced on a recorded vote after a house call and return of absent senators.
The Nebraska Unicameral advanced LB10 22, a bill that would eliminate the human-relations course requirement for substitute teachers, after an extended floor exchange about training, access and intent.
Sen. Merman — the bill’s sponsor — said the measure is meant to “eliminate all barriers” and speed substitute teachers back into classrooms amid a shortage. Sen. Conrad pressed him repeatedly, asking whether his proposal would remove useful classroom-management training for professionals entering substitute teaching from other careers and whether it was motivated by opposition to diversity, equity and inclusion programs. Sen. Conrad said, “Your track record is crystal clear. You are a self described opponent of, quote, unquote, DEI efforts or CRT efforts,” and asked whether that background informed the bill. Sen. Merman replied that he is “actually a proponent of justice” and denied the bill was intended to target DEI or CRT.
The debate also referenced Sen. Storm’s alternate proposal to direct the Department of Education to provide a uniform course and lower barriers; Sen. Conrad urged trying to “marry together” the competing approaches on final reading.
The body called a recorded vote after a lengthy exchange and the Speaker placed the house under call to bring absent senators back to the floor. After the call and acceptance of some call-in votes, the clerk recorded the tally on advancement as 25 ayes and 3 nays; the presiding officer announced the bill advanced to E & R for engrossing.
Why it matters: The change would remove one stated training hurdle for people seeking to fill substitute positions — a step proponents say could help mitigate shortages — while critics say the class supplies useful tools for classroom management and working with diverse student needs. The outcome leaves open whether a compromise amendment will be offered on final reading.
What’s next: LB10 22 now goes to engrossing; senators signaled interest in working on amendments before final passage to balance access and training objectives.
