NE LB454

Allows behavioral health services providers to offer new services or expand existing services with department approval, bypassing the standard competitive bidding process if they meet network enrollment standards and are contracted with a regional behavioral health authority

Expands housing-related assistance eligibility from the Behavioral Health Services Fund to include very low-income adults with substance abuse disorder, in addition to those with serious mental illness

Removes the requirement for "public bidding" procedures, replacing it with "uniform and equitable" procedures for regional behavioral health authorities contracting for services

Permits up to 20% of housing assistance funds to be distributed to regional behavioral health authorities for housing acquisition or rehabilitation when all direct housing assistance obligations have been met

Approved by the Governor on June 4, 2025; introduced by Senator Quick of District 35