Child care subsidy changes approved

A bill that disregards income when determining continued eligibility for the state’s child care subsidy program was approved by the Legislature March 27.

LB359, sponsored by Omaha Sen. Tanya Cook, increases the percentage of a household’s gross earned income that must be disregarded when determining continued eligibility for the subsidy. The income disregard is set at 10 percent after 12 continuous months on the program and at each subsequent redetermination of eligibility.

The bill also removes 529 savings plans, student scholarships and work-study income from asset limit tests for the state’s child care subsidy program and the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program.

The bill passed 44-0 and takes effect immediately.