Emergency notification system for child care facilities proposed

The Health and Human Services Committee considered a bill Jan. 29 that seeks to establish emergency notification and response protocols for child care facilities.

LB162, introduced by Omaha Sen. Margo Juarez, would adopt the Child Care Safety and Security Act to be administered by the state Department of Education. Under the bill, child care and early education facilities could voluntarily partner with their area’s educational service unit and community based organizations to establish an emergency notification system and standard response protocols.

The bill also would require each ESU to have three designees to operate an emergency response system to notify providers of local area emergencies, provide safety and reunification materials and coordinate age-appropriate safety and reunification training.

LB162 also would create the Child Care Safety and Security Fund and direct the department to award grants of up to $3,000 per ESU. The department would be required to submit an annual report to the Clerk of the Legislature detailing the number of grants awarded, how funds were used and the number of children served.

Juarez indicated she would offer an amendment stating legislative intent to authorize a one-time $300,000 appropriation from the Cash Reserve Fund to the Child Care Safety and Security Fund in fiscal year 2025-26 to carry out the bill’s provisions.

Juarez said the proposal is designed to mirror emergency response protocols already in place in elementary and secondary schools in the state.

School systems in Nebraska are notified by law enforcement of nearby incidents that may have implications for the safety and security of children and staff, she said, but child care centers and home providers do not receive the same notice.

“Every day, thousands of working Nebraska parents entrust the care of their youngest children to these hardworking professionals,” Juarez said. “These parents not only deserve to go to work knowing they can rely on child care providers to educate their children and prepare them for school … they should be assured that their child is safe.”

Suzanne Schneider, speaking on behalf of Lincoln Littles, testified in support of LB162. She said the organization has been working with local entities, including Lincoln Public Schools and the Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department, to implement a standard response protocol and emergency notification system for child care providers in Lincoln.

Establishing a statewide training and notification system would help keep Nebraska’s youngest residents safe, she said.

“Being proactive is much better than being reactive,” Schneider said.

No one testified in opposition to LB162 and the committee took no immediate action on the proposal.