NE LB71

Lowers the Step Up to Quality Child Care Act rating threshold from step three to step two for child care providers to qualify for higher reimbursement rates under the federal Child Care Subsidy program

Allows child care and early childhood education programs rated step two or higher to receive tiered subsidy reimbursements that reflect the cost of higher quality programs

Amends sections 43-536, 68-1206, and 71-1961 of Nebraska statutes governing child care reimbursement rate determinations by the Department of Health and Human Services

Maintains existing requirements that reimbursement rates be adjusted every odd-numbered year at not less than the 75th percentile of current market rates