As introduced: LB 275, the Nebraska Coordinated School Health Act, creates a grant program, to be administered by the Nebraska Department of Education, that will provide 50% matching funds to assist with capital construction and startup costs for the establishment of a school-based health center. The grant program ends on June 30, 2015.
LB 275 allows a school-based health center to serve as a child’s medical or dental home or access point to a medical or dental home, if the child is unable to access a medical or dental home in the community.
LB 275 also amends statutory requirements for the School Health Center Advisory Councils.
Introducing Senator(s): Nordquist
Committee: Education
Committee Hearing Date: March 12, 2013
Current Status: Not voted out of committee
Estimated Fiscal Impact: There is No Fiscal Impact to the Department of Health and Human Services. The bill authorizes grants beginning on July 1, 2013. Grants are to be funded with an annual $200,000 transfer from the Education Innovation Fund (lottery proceeds) to a newly created Nebraska Coordinated School Health Fund in FY 2013-14 and FY 2014-15. Any additional public or private funds received by the fund may also be used for grants. NDE is to award 90% of the funds for grants ($180,000) and may use up to 10% of the fund for administration ($20,000).
The bill also changes the Medical Assistance Act to allow school-based health centers to be a child’s medical or dental home is the child does not have and is unable to access such in the community. The Department of Health and Human Services indicates this change does not have a fiscal impact for the agency.
Voices for Children’s Position: Support (see our summary)
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