[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6358530,"mediaKeyId","2212380-3244a55ece5149e4f6b34dc706497f4f","parentId",2212380,"title","Nebraska hearing spotlights cosmetology licensure compact as supporters tout mobility, opponents warn of lower training standards","audioSeconds",730,"startMs",302000,"endMs",1032000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2212380-3244a55ece5149e4f6b34dc706497f4f&start=302&end=1032","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2212380-3244a55ece5149e4f6b34dc706497f4f/thumbnail_302000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6358530/Nebraska/Nebraska-hearing-spotlights-cosmetology-licensure-compact-as-supporters-tout-mobility-opponents-warn-of-lower-training-standards","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6358530-9014559f9f173718e6a36b3c58d197df/orig.mp4?Expires=1771087453&Signature=CC3DH2yxCByvo5KFD6Sml8izxCZwBgJGFHJA-29Co9tWp5LOEa028DhBsbTt-MqaVwpHfKUxL35dSwyGbK21T6Hu5oX6NEm3kgubMUWwvK9gguwVgBxNnbsP1p0kKEGX08Z6gQ69hlymuhKJfOV8JISiJgeVJJemWoOT-ibDaJK3Na8g-5swH2kQqMaLHqEzuPk~zEZF0Dz6y3pnQzZIo4Jhob23eQ-T0AoKAi-Eur2dgQ2mV0~IMvJbg60fNbqlMYcmg1wO046Aoz~y9WLMd7ALXhbSRo9Z47~HBlKTfzR~rvl~tJBj6gFC3L3E4SnXW1Uw-RhXCxmKwz9TG11x7Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Nebraska Legislature","date","2025-01-31T00:00:00Z","article","LB 82, a bill to have Nebraska join the cosmetology licensure compact, drew a mix of industry support and concern during a public hearing before the Nebraska Legislature’s Health and Human Services Committee. Senator Victor Rountree, who represents Legislative District 3 (Bellevue and Papillion), introduced the measure and said the compact aims to increase workforce mobility for licensed cosmetologists across member states.

The bill would let cosmetologists licensed in a compact member state apply to practice in other participating states through a centralized process. \"This legislation . . . allows employers to draw from a larger pool of employees, allows cosmetologists who come to your state to get to work immediately, and reduces workload related to reciprocity applications in your regulatory agency,\" Leslie Rossi of the Future of the Beauty Industry Coalition testified.

The nut graf: supporters argued the compact reduces administrative delays that keep licensed professionals — including military spouses and disaster-displaced workers — from working immediately in a new state. Opponents and Nebraska regulators urged caution, noting big differences in training hours and in what a cosmetology license allows from state to state.

Proponents emphasized practical benefits for employers and licensees. \"In many states, this proof of good standing form can take months to be sent . . . creating a situation where someone needing to work is unable to,\" Rossi said, summarizing the compact's intent to streamline cross‑state practice. Keith Buckhout of the Council of State Governments, who helped develop the compact model, told the committee the compact was drafted with state licensure boards and would leave scope‑of‑practice questions to the states while providing a shared data resource for licenses and disciplinary history.

Opponents focused on training and scope differences. Stephanie Moss, a licensed cosmetologist, cosmetology instructor and owner of Zenon Academy, said Nebraska requires 1,800 hours of training while many compact states require substantially fewer hours. \"Joining the compact, I don't believe is the right answer,\" Moss said. Linda Pohop, director of education at Zenon Academy, told senators she and other educators had advised that applicants from some jurisdictions arrive with little or no hands‑on experience: \"In her entire training, all of her work was done on mannequin heads. She had never touched a person to do a skill on before she came to our school.\"

Nebraska Board members also took a guarded stance. Siobhan Kozisek, a licensed aesthetician who sits on the statewide board, said the board is neutral on LB 82 because implementation questions remain: \"Nebraska is not quite ready to enter a compact licensure with our current statutes. We have valid concerns regarding the licensing requirements and scope of practice with participating states already in the cosmetology compact.\" She urged legislative cleanup on scope and age/education requirements before Nebraska would join a compact.

Committee members pressed specifics about hours, scopes, and whether related licenses such as barbering and aesthetics would be included; witnesses said the cosmetology compact lets each state define its own cosmetology scope and that the compact does not change a receiving state's scope of practice. Buckhout said member states might face modest IT costs to connect state systems with the compact's database and that the compact itself leaves scope decisions to states.

Ending: Senator Rountree closed by inviting board and industry participants to the table for further work, saying he was open to drafting changes based on testimony. The committee did not vote on LB 82 during the hearing; the bill advanced to further consideration with lawmakers signaling a desire for follow‑up discussions about scope, training hours, and guardrails for consumer protection.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Health and Human Services Committee January 31, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","LB 82, a bill to have Nebraska join the cosmetology licensure compact, drew mixed industry support and regulator caution at a Health and Human Services Committee hearing.","taxTitle","2025 Legislature NE, Nebraska","taxId",77675,"location","Nebraska","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6358525,"Committee hears bill to require informed consent before intimate exams on unconscious or anesthetized patients",220,3589000,3809000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2212380-3244a55ece5149e4f6b34dc706497f4f&start=3589&end=3809","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2212380-3244a55ece5149e4f6b34dc706497f4f/thumbnail_3589000.jpg","/articles/6358525/Nebraska/Committee-hears-bill-to-require-informed-consent-before-intimate-exams-on-unconscious-or-anesthetized-patients","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6358525-fe794d58a94bfb07b82cd0d97298890e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771087453&Signature=H83mJju4tv-pWXCZH5-DRfs7qe74IAoZmI-OZC7ubFE7pN2qqjFWYBt5Pg2L~l-TEFpKw0pwJcB18W3zxMJLDrNamd8pKzAAOhbej3IwIpKaaP6kqlyB5uLHmq9m4Dm44RjXI6GbDFLfHiqRyfidZfEO4XMYG9bu-fdH~2WoZv~o9gALJlxK6AjkJ0-kimIk0NdOoIDoOGpCclXXrS4mLWK5Dc3uIJlQRqQEF43d9CK1JQ7M7vmiQRx9FVCcYM8gHuVcPxKLRz1FwQ5gZbI6wGi5g~hhCD7OdGa8Q8A6lEB7yPjam4LLxLrGMLM~T4Cp~GWhdMrM0ImHZQeBSZGGGQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senator Jana Hughes introduced LB 110 to the Health and Human Services Committee, asking that Nebraska require informed consent before health care providers perform manual or internal pelvic, breast, prostate or rectal examinations on unconscious or anesthetized patients.

Hughes said the proposal is preventive: \"I would like to state for the record that I've looked into this and I've now found no evidence that this has happened in our hospitals or care facilities here in Nebraska. That being said, if we can address this before it happens, prevent miscommunication or worse, then we should do that.\" The bill, as amended, would expand the consent requirement beyond pelvic exams to other intimate examinations and would allow exceptions for emergency care, court‑ordered evidence collection, and consent by someone with health care power of attorney.

Nut graf: proponents framed LB 110 as a patient‑protection and survivor‑safety measure that codifies guidance already issued to teaching hospitals; supporters asked the Legislature to make informed consent explicit statewide and to adopt an amendment expanding covered exams.

Medical and advocacy proponents told the committee that nonconsensual sensitive exams have occurred elsewhere and that codifying consent reduces the risk of retraumatizing survivors of sexual violence. Dr. Erin Feichtinger of the Women's Fund of Omaha said professional medical groups have long endorsed the practice: \"Examinations on an anesthetized woman that offer her no personal benefit and are performed solely for teaching purposes should be performed only with her specific informed consent,\" she said, citing guidance from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Researcher Sophia Stockham summarized published findings and federal guidance, noting the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services issued guidance in April 2024 affecting teaching hospitals that receive Medicare/Medicaid funds.

Sponsor Hughes said LB 110 imposes no criminal penalty; it creates professional discipline as the enforcement mechanism and allows the possibility of informed consent being provided in an appropriate documented form. She also told committee members she has received suggested language changes, and that AM 63 would define \"intimate examinations\" to include breast, prostate and rectal exams and to exclude visual‑only inspection.

Committee members raised scenarios and sought assurances the bill would not impede emergency care. Senator Ben Hansen and others pressed whether a written signature was required; Hughes said she would work with the committee and stakeholders and was open to alternatives such as documented informed consent consistent with clinical practice. Several witnesses noted that hospitals in Nebraska already require consent in obstetric contexts: witnesses said Nebraska Medicine implemented written consent for such exams in 2021.

Ending: After extensive testimony from survivors, clinicians, and researchers, the committee left the record open for further drafting and indicated potential placement of the bill within the Uniform Credentialing Act to reflect professional‑discipline enforcement. Senator Hughes said she would remain engaged to refine the language and exceptions with stakeholders.

","LB 110 would require informed consent before manual or internal pelvic, breast, prostate or rectal examinations on unconscious or anesthetized patients, with emergency exceptions; the bill drew broad support from advocates and some health‑care witnesses.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6358515,"Bill would allow earlier retest option for barber licensure after two failures; educators support, some owners urge caution",85,7501000,7586000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2212380-3244a55ece5149e4f6b34dc706497f4f&start=7501&end=7586","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2212380-3244a55ece5149e4f6b34dc706497f4f/thumbnail_7501000.jpg","/articles/6358515/Nebraska/Bill-would-allow-earlier-retest-option-for-barber-licensure-after-two-failures-educators-support-some-owners-urge-caution","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6358515-24e08d9ade0148badd11e9f477b48ea1/orig.mp4?Expires=1771087453&Signature=Mt5JXlhzBZl3RUWBhMzRfaVNnsCXV3hkUVtmKa0fOprHA6o2B0EKCGPzDEW0gmBbIkTxeRCk0PsjW~bb9tCVj5FcTgxHwSDCG5MQRpSaK5VOae4iSjYx9VT-wxW4xK5fEW5RxgbU0CfxMycLGOZUg-PxCzcnaO-OllAtaWtbqcKpeMOUXdYzJzbANRBkOrrxs6UV-3RfCFDghqS4W70KoLj5l~wOQ~GhpJGVOZgkfCIYuc5IGzf~DyqHCU81JRkByy7T5LBQHjVCVenezCAZkyxAVbp1LKxUIPDqfY6fwFgwdpQg0~SPTcT0ptdHKer8dINa8Ydw72KkJxbbTtB7Dg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senator Merv Riepe introduced LB 160, a technical change to Nebraska’s barber licensing statute that would let applicants who fail the licensing exam twice become eligible for an early competency evaluation after 250 hours of additional training (half of the statute’s current 500‑hour remedial requirement). If the applicant passes that evaluation, they may retake the exam without completing the remaining 250 hours; if they fail the evaluation, the statute still requires completion of the full 500 remedial hours before another attempt.

The nut graf: proponents argued the change gives capable students a faster path back to testing — addressing post‑pandemic declines in test performance and reducing unnecessary time and cost — while preserving the existing remedial hour requirement for candidates who do not demonstrate competency at the 250‑hour evaluation.

Ken Allen, director of the Nebraska Board of Barber Examiners, and Barber instructors from the College of Hair Design said written scores have fallen in recent years and that the proposed early evaluation would let students who have mastered practical skills but struggle with standardized written testing to move forward. \"All of the applicants who have taken the additional training after failing the first two examinations have passed the next examination from the first track,\" Allen told the committee. Instructors said many students now require more focused classroom time due to learning disruptions during COVID and increased prevalence of learning differences.

School representatives testified they already offer rigorous remediation and would support an evaluation at 250 hours. Several instructors and program directors said the early evaluation would not lower standards because the full 500 hours remain required for those who do not demonstrate competency. Educators also noted the practical exam remains a key competency check and that written testing — not hands‑on skills — accounts for many recent failures.

Some school owners raised concerns in neutral testimony about limiting retake attempts and the potential cost burden of additional classroom hours when students must pay out of pocket: Zenon Academy’s director of education urged further study and suggested offering additional test attempts before requiring remedial hours in recognition of test‑anxiety and adult learning challenges.

Ending: Sponsor Riepe said he will work with stakeholders on clarifying language and implementation details. The committee did not take final action at the hearing; senators asked the board and schools for follow‑up information on pass rates and comparative state practices.

","LB 160 would let barber applicants who have failed the state exam twice attempt a competency evaluation after 250 hours of remedial instruction instead of completing 500 hours before re‑testing. The barber board and school instructors told the committee the change addresses post‑COVID declines in written‑test performance; some school owners urged",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6358520,"Lawmakers hear request to expand support service provider program for deaf‑blind Nebraskans; sponsor seeks funding",532,5025000,5557000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2212380-3244a55ece5149e4f6b34dc706497f4f&start=5025&end=5557","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2212380-3244a55ece5149e4f6b34dc706497f4f/thumbnail_5025000.jpg","/articles/6358520/Nebraska/Lawmakers-hear-request-to-expand-support-service-provider-program-for-deafblind-Nebraskans-sponsor-seeks-funding","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6358520-065edb958da682a48764ce1d66187f97/orig.mp4?Expires=1771087453&Signature=Lym3FHDXlrJRSLDAN0ZV1~Svqz3IlXVySWthbViL9iCBXHEJCv9Hvq2n3Vwg8FeWDgNZmE1S0SZypDwjhNNpSn0lQcpEsYh2aFfsu31mD0B~20ehYf1AxR~poWepuPKczPrWkF4Iod~KFG2Sw71c-Cr8tHdJjQq0yzEK9hwoJkdtYoyNLATwi9591Y9JP9W2hHEyswDRme2GJFEr-~nibHH5FubdBAgxyqWbPTgB6XJDzyYC6Ssj9kN7TjY7i52LcaVIQiLiwA7bN0NKSYixlUQB5Z~ZaiJwq3NymefKyH8nFDhTUjga6zheh5G-8ehRF88Fb40Obxq34fIKZg-Ocg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senator Myron Dorn introduced LB 87 seeking to expand a Support Service Provider (SSP) program that helps people with combined vision and hearing loss live independently and participate in community life. Carlos Cervan, executive director of the Nebraska Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired, described a pilot in Omaha that provides SSPs who \"provide visual situational and environmental information, serve as a guide, and facilitate conversation in spoken or sign language,\" enabling clients to handle daily tasks and reduce isolation.

The nut graf: proponents and several program users said SSPs allow deaf‑blind Nebraskans to manage essential activities — traveling to appointments, shopping, reading mail, attending events — and reduce the likelihood of institutionalization. The commission requested an initial general‑fund appropriation of $100,000 for fiscal year 2025‑26 and the following year to expand the pilot statewide, estimating approximately 261 deaf‑blind Nebraskans could be served.

Service recipients testified about real‑world impacts. Aleese (Elise) Jones, who lost vision and hearing after a stroke, said an SSP helped her exit homelessness, return to school and participate in her son’s activities: \"Having an SSP improves my quality of life so much. It is a support I can depend on and doesn't make me feel like a burden.\" Other witnesses described the program's role in enabling voting access and daily independence.

The commission told senators the pilot served 15 individuals in Omaha and had an additional waiting list; statewide outreach has identified about 261 individuals who might benefit. Witnesses said SSPs are not duplicative of existing services; the commission itself provides vocational rehabilitation and independent living services and would use either direct provision or contracted providers to expand SSP services.

Dorn said his intent is to educate the Legislature about the program and to seek funding. Committee members asked about potential alternative funding sources and partnerships with local foundations; Dorn and commission staff said they would pursue foundation partners and other supports while seeking legislative appropriations.

Ending: The committee heard largely sympathetic testimony and requested further fiscal detail; the sponsor and agency said they would continue to work with senators and appropriations staff on funding and rollout plans.

","LB 87, introduced by Senator Myron Dorn, would authorize the Nebraska Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired to expand a pilot Support Service Provider (SSP) program beyond Omaha. Witnesses and service recipients described the program as essential for independence; the commission asked for an initial appropriation of $100,000 per year to","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Nebraska hearing spotlights cosmetology licensure compact as supporters tout mobility, opponents warn of lower training standards

Committee hears bill to require informed consent before intimate exams on unconscious or anesthetized patients

Bill would allow earlier retest option for barber licensure after two failures; educators support, some owners urge caution

Lawmakers hear request to expand support service provider program for deaf‑blind Nebraskans; sponsor seeks funding