Adopt the Foster Care Child Scholarships Act

Brief

What this bill does

If it passes, what actually changes?

This bill creates a new state-funded scholarship so children in foster care can attend private schools. It would take effect the moment it is signed.

• Creates the Foster Child Scholarships Act, run by the Department of Health and Human Services, in Sections 1 through 5.
• Establishes the Foster Child Scholarship Program awarding "HOPE Scholarships" beginning with the 2025-26 school year.
• Covers foster children and their biological siblings at private, nonprofit schools accredited under section 79-318.
• States legislative intent to appropriate $200,000 from the General Fund for fiscal years 2025-26 and 2026-27.
• Requires a report to the Governor and Legislature by December 1, 2026, and each year after.
• Section 6 declares an emergency, so the act takes effect on passage and approval.

What it says it is for

Does it do what it claims?

Broadly yes: the operative sections build the scholarship program the title promises. The naming is inconsistent and the money is softer than it sounds.

• Title says "Foster Care Child Scholarships Act"; Section 1 names it the "Foster Child Scholarships Act."
• Section 3(4) calls it the "Foster Child Scholarship Act," a third spelling of the same name.
• The title promises an emergency declaration, and Section 6 delivers exactly that.
• Eligibility in Section 2(3) reaches biological siblings of foster children, which the title does not signal.
• Section 3(2)(a) conditions awards on admission to a "participating school," a term Section 2 never defines.
• Section 5 only declares intent to appropriate; it does not itself appropriate any money.

Where Scripture bears on it

What does the Bible say about this?

This bill asks whether the state owes foster children more than custody — whether public money should follow a displaced child into a private school, and whether siblings separated by placement should be kept together in it. The scriptural theme that bears on it is adoption and the receiving of a child who is not your own; the connection is thematic rather than direct, since Scripture speaks of who takes a child in, not of scholarship programs or general-fund appropriations.

• "And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me." Matthew 18:5
• "To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons." Galatians 4:5

These verses press the duty to receive the fatherless child, but they settle none of the questions this bill actually turns on — whether the schooling should be private or public, whether $200,000 is adequate or the right instrument, whether accredited nonprofit schools should be the sole eligible recipients, or whether the emergency clause is warranted.

The case each way

What is the strongest argument for, and against?

The disagreement is over whether public dollars should follow foster children into private schools.

• For: Foster placements change often, and a scholarship can keep a child in one school.
• For: Section 3(2)(b) holds eligibility until graduation or age twenty-one, even after foster care ends.
• For: Section 4's annual demographic report lets lawmakers see who is actually served.
• Against: The $200,000 intent is small and unguaranteed, so aid may reach very few students.
• Against: Section 3(3) bars state oversight while letting schools refuse or drop scholarship students.
• Against: General Fund money moves toward private schools while public schools educate most foster children.

What is unsettled

What should I be careful about?

This reading covers only what the printed bill says; much of the program's real shape is left open.

• No per-student scholarship amount is set, and no limit on recipients is stated.
• Whether $200,000 is per year or total across both fiscal years is unclear.
• Section 5 is intent language, so actual funding depends on a later appropriation.
• Section 3(5) leaves application, award, and appeal procedures entirely to department rules.
• The text never says what happens if scholarship requests exceed the available money.
• Section 4 collects income level data although income is not an eligibility requirement.

Text (1)

• Introduced (application/pdf)

Each link opens the Legislature's own document. The text itself is not in our database yet (fetched lazily); when it lands these pages will carry it verbatim.

All Actions (5)

Votes (0)

There have been no roll call votes on this bill.

Sponsors (1)

• Sen. Beau Ballard [District 21] — primary sponsor

Amendments (0)

There are no amendments to this bill.

Fiscal Notes & Statements (2)

• Fiscal Note — Fiscal Note
• Statement of Intent — Statement of Intent

The Legislature's own companion documents; each link opens the official copy.

Committees (1)

Related Bills (0)

No related bill information was received for LB481.