Nebraska 109th Legislature (2025-2026) Status: Enacted

LB 148 — Adopt the Dentist and Dental Hygienist Compact and change requirements for licensure and reciprocity under the Dentistry Practice Act

Last action — Provisions/portions of LB83 amended into LB148 by AM391

  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. ✓
    In Committee
  3. ✓
    Passed Legislature
  4. ✓
    To Executive
  5. 5
    Enacted

This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced January 13, 2025. Enacted.

Signed by Governor Jim Pillen (Republican) on April 14, 2025.

Prognosis

Advancing 54% · moderate confidence

Where this bill stands today.

Odds of enactment

High

How often bills like it became law.

  • Enacted

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 1 sponsor

    1 primary, 0 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Mixed recorded votes

    2 passed, 1 failed in recorded votes so far.

Prognosis reads this bill's own signals — stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes and cross-state momentum. Odds come from a model trained on which bills have become law.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

985 added · 1083 removed

Plain-language change summary

The recent amendments to Bill LB 148 establish the Dentist and Dental Hygienist Compact, which allows dentists and dental hygienists licensed in one state to practice in other participating states without needing a new license. This change aims to improve access to dental care for the public, making it easier for dental professionals to work in multiple states. Additionally, the bill includes new requirements for criminal background checks and updates to licensure processes, enhancing public safety and streamlining how dental professionals can operate across state lines.

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LB148 LB148 2025 LEGISLATURE OF NEBRASKA ONE HUNDRED NINTH LEGISLATURE FIRST SESSION LEGISLATIVE BILL 148 FINAL READING   Introduced by Hansen, 16.
LB148 LB148 2025 LEGISLATIVE BILL 148 Approved by the Governor April 14, 2025   Introduced by Hansen, 16.
Read first time January 13, 2025 Committee:
  A BILL FOR AN ACT relating to public health;
Health and Human Services A BILL FOR AN ACT relating to public health;
Be it enacted by the people of the State of Nebraska, -1- LB148 LB148 2025 Section 1.
Be it enacted by the people of the State of Nebraska, Section 1.
-2- LB148 LB148 2025 F.
F.
"Commissioner" means the individual appointed by a Participating -3- LB148 LB148 2025 State to serve as the member of the Commission for that Participating State.
"Commissioner" means the individual appointed by a Participating State to serve as the member of the Commission for that Participating State.
"Compact Privilege" means the authorization granted by a Remote State to allow a Licensee from a Participating State to practice as a Dentist or Dental Hygienist in a Remote State.
"Compact Privilege" means the authorization granted by a Remote State to allow a Licensee from a Participating State to practice as a Dentist or -1- LB148 LB148 2025 Dental Hygienist in a Remote State.
"Criminal Background Check" means the submission of fingerprints or other biometric-based information for a License applicant for the purpose of obtaining that applicant's criminal history record information, as defined in 28 C.F.R.
"Criminal Background Check" means the submission of fingerprints or other biometric-based information for a License applicant for the purpose of obtaining that applicant's criminal history record information, as defined in C.F.R.
"Encumbered License" means a License that a State Licensing Authority has limited in any way other than through an Alternative -4- LB148 LB148 2025 Program.
"Encumbered License" means a License that a State Licensing Authority has limited in any way other than through an Alternative Program.
Such -5- LB148 LB148 2025 procedures, actions, and processes and the circumstances under which they may be undertaken may be established through means, including, but not limited to, statute, regulations, case law, and other processes available to the State Licensing Authority or other government agency.
Such procedures, actions, and processes and the circumstances under which they may be undertaken may be established through means, including, but not limited to, statute, regulations, case law, and other processes available to the State Licensing Authority or other government agency.
Fully implement a Criminal Background Check requirement, within a timeframe established by Commission Rule, by receiving the results of a -6- LB148 LB148 2025 qualifying Criminal Background Check;
Fully implement a Criminal Background Check requirement, within a timeframe established by Commission Rule, by receiving the results of a qualifying Criminal Background Check;
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Maintain documentation of completion of the Criminal Background -7- LB148 LB148 2025 Check and background check information to the extent allowed by State and federal law;
Maintain documentation of completion of the Criminal Background Check and background check information to the extent allowed by State and federal law;
For a Dentist, have graduated from a predoctoral dental education program accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation, or another accrediting agency recognized by the United States Department of -8- LB148 LB148 2025 Education for the accreditation of dentistry and dental hygiene education programs, leading to the Doctor of Dental Surgery (D.D.S.) or Doctor of Dental Medicine (D.M.D.) degree;
For a Dentist, have graduated from a predoctoral dental education program accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation, or another accrediting agency recognized by the United States Department of Education for the accreditation of dentistry and dental hygiene education programs, leading to the Doctor of Dental Surgery (D.D.S.) or Doctor of Dental Medicine (D.M.D.) degree;
Report to the Commission Adverse Action taken by any non- Participating State when applying for a Compact Privilege and, otherwise, within thirty days from the date the Adverse Action is taken;
Report to the Commission Adverse Action taken by any non-Participating State when applying for a Compact Privilege and, otherwise, within thirty days from the date the Adverse Action is taken;
A Licensee providing dentistry or dental hygiene in a Remote State under the Compact Privilege shall function within the Scope of -9- LB148 LB148 2025 Practice authorized by the Remote State for a Dentist or Dental Hygienist licensed in that State.
A Licensee providing dentistry or dental hygiene in a Remote State under the Compact Privilege shall function within the Scope of Practice authorized by the Remote State for a Dentist or Dental Hygienist licensed in -3- LB148 LB148 2025 that State.
Once the requirements of subsection G of this section have been met, the Licensee must meet the requirements in subsection A of this -10- LB148 LB148 2025 section to obtain a Compact Privilege in a Remote State.
Once the requirements of subsection G of this section have been met, the Licensee must meet the requirements in subsection A of this section to obtain a Compact Privilege in a Remote State.
-11- LB148 LB148 2025 1.
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After a Licensee's Compact Privilege in a Remote State is terminated, the Remote State may continue an investigation of the Licensee that began when the Licensee had a Compact Privilege in that Remote State.
After a Licensee's Compact Privilege in a Remote State is terminated, -4- LB148 LB148 2025 the Remote State may continue an investigation of the Licensee that began when the Licensee had a Compact Privilege in that Remote State.
If the investigation yields what would be Significant -12- LB148 LB148 2025 Investigative Information had the Licensee continued to have a Compact Privilege in that Remote State, the Remote State shall report the presence of such information to the Data System as required by Section 8.B.6 as if it was Significant Investigative Information.
If the investigation yields what would be Significant Investigative Information had the Licensee continued to have a Compact Privilege in that Remote State, the Remote State shall report the presence of such information to the Data System as required by Section 8.B.6 as if it was Significant Investigative Information.
The -13- LB148 LB148 2025 Commission may meet by telecommunication, videoconference, or other similar electronic means.
The Commission may meet by telecommunication, videoconference, or other similar electronic means.
Nothing herein shall be construed to prevent a Remote State from charging a Licensee a fee for a Compact Privilege or renewals of a -14- LB148 LB148 2025 Compact Privilege, or a fee for the Jurisprudence Requirement if the Remote State imposes such a requirement for the grant of a Compact Privilege;
Nothing herein shall be construed to prevent a Remote State from charging a Licensee a fee for a Compact Privilege or renewals of a Compact Privilege, or a fee for the Jurisprudence Requirement if the Remote State imposes such a requirement for the grant of a Compact Privilege;
Elect a Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary, and Treasurer and such other officers of the Commission as provided in the Commission's bylaws;
Elect a Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary, and Treasurer and such other -5- LB148 LB148 2025 officers of the Commission as provided in the Commission's bylaws;
All meetings of the Commission that are not closed pursuant to -15- LB148 LB148 2025 this subsection shall be open to the public.
All meetings of the Commission that are not closed pursuant to this subsection shall be open to the public.
-16- LB148 LB148 2025 h.
h.
The Commission may levy on and collect an annual assessment from -17- LB148 LB148 2025 each Participating State and impose fees on Licensees of Participating States when a Compact Privilege is granted, to cover the cost of the operations and activities of the Commission and its staff, which must be in a total amount sufficient to cover its annual budget as approved each fiscal year for which sufficient revenue is not provided by other sources.
The Commission may levy on and collect an annual assessment from each Participating State and impose fees on Licensees of Participating States when a Compact Privilege is granted, to cover the cost of the operations and activities of the Commission and its staff, which must be in a total amount sufficient to cover its annual budget as approved each fiscal year for which sufficient revenue is not provided by other sources.
All receipts and disbursements of funds handled by the Commission shall be subject to an annual financial review by a certified or licensed public accountant, and the report of the financial review shall be included in and become part of the annual report of the Commission.
All receipts and disbursements of funds handled by the Commission shall be subject to an annual financial review by a certified or licensed public accountant, and the report of the financial review shall be included in and -6- LB148 LB148 2025 become part of the annual report of the Commission.
Ensuring Compact administration services are appropriately -18- LB148 LB148 2025 provided, including by contract;
Ensuring Compact administration services are appropriately provided, including by contract;
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Any information submitted to the Data System that is subsequently -22- LB148 LB148 2025 expunged pursuant to federal law or the laws of the Participating State contributing the information shall be removed from the Data System.
Any information submitted to the Data System that is subsequently expunged pursuant to federal law or the laws of the Participating State contributing the information shall be removed from the Data System.
Prior to adoption of a proposed Rule, the Commission shall hold a public hearing and allow persons to provide oral and written comments, -23- LB148 LB148 2025 data, facts, opinions, and arguments.
Prior to adoption of a proposed Rule, the Commission shall hold a public hearing and allow persons to provide oral and written comments, data, facts, opinions, and arguments.
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-24- LB148 LB148 2025 1.
1.
A challenge shall be made in writing and delivered to the -25- LB148 LB148 2025 Commission prior to the end of the notice period.
A challenge shall be made in writing and delivered to the Commission prior to the end of the notice period.
The notice of default shall describe the default, the proposed means of curing the default, and any -26- LB148 LB148 2025 other action that the Commission may take, and shall offer training and specific technical assistance regarding the default.
The notice of default shall describe the default, the proposed means of curing the default, and any other action that the Commission may take, and shall offer training and specific technical assistance regarding the default.
2.
-9- LB148 LB148 2025 2.
The Commission shall not bear any costs related to a State that is found to be in default or that has been terminated from the Compact, -27- LB148 LB148 2025 unless agreed upon in writing between the Commission and the defaulting State.
The Commission shall not bear any costs related to a State that is found to be in default or that has been terminated from the Compact, unless agreed upon in writing between the Commission and the defaulting State.
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Upon request by a Participating State, the Commission shall attempt to resolve disputes related to the Compact that arise among Participating States and between Participating States and non- Participating States.
Upon request by a Participating State, the Commission shall attempt to resolve disputes related to the Compact that arise among Participating States and between Participating States and non-Participating States.
A Participating State may initiate legal action against the Commission in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia or the federal district where the Commission has its principal -28- LB148 LB148 2025 offices to enforce compliance with the provisions of the Compact and its promulgated Rules.
A Participating State may initiate legal action against the Commission in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia or the federal district where the Commission has its principal offices to enforce compliance with the provisions of the Compact and its promulgated Rules.
All actions taken for the benefit of the Commission or in furtherance of the purposes of the administration of the Compact prior to the effective date of the Compact or the Commission coming into existence shall be considered to be actions of the Commission unless specifically -29- LB148 LB148 2025 repudiated by the Commission.
All actions taken for the benefit of the Commission or in furtherance of the purposes of the administration of the Compact prior to the effective date of the Compact or the Commission coming into existence shall be considered -10- LB148 LB148 2025 to be actions of the Commission unless specifically repudiated by the Commission.
CONSTRUCTION AND SEVERABILITY -30- LB148 LB148 2025 A.
CONSTRUCTION AND SEVERABILITY A.
Any laws, statutes, regulations, or other legal requirements in a Participating State in conflict with the Compact are superseded to the -31- LB148 LB148 2025 extent of the conflict.
Any laws, statutes, regulations, or other legal requirements in a Participating State in conflict with the Compact are superseded to the extent of the conflict.
38-131 (1) An applicant for an initial license to practice as a registered nurse, a licensed practical nurse, a physical therapist, a physical therapy assistant, a psychologist, an advanced emergency medical technician, an emergency medical technician, an audiologist, a speech- language pathologist, a licensed independent mental health practitioner, an occupational therapist, an occupational therapy assistant, a dietitian, a certified social worker, a certified master social worker, a licensed clinical social worker, a paramedic, a physician, an osteopathic physician, a physician or osteopathic physician who is an applicant for a temporary educational permit, a physician or osteopathic physician who is an applicant for a temporary visiting faculty permit, a physician assistant, a dentist, a dental hygienist, an optometrist, a podiatrist, a veterinarian, an advanced practice registered nurse-nurse practitioner, an advanced practice registered nurse-certified nurse midwife, or an advanced practice registered nurse-certified registered nurse anesthetist shall be subject to a criminal background check.
38-131 (1) An applicant for an initial license to practice as a registered nurse, a licensed practical nurse, a physical therapist, a physical therapy assistant, a psychologist, an advanced emergency medical technician, an emergency medical technician, an audiologist, a speech-language pathologist, a licensed independent mental health practitioner, an occupational therapist, an occupational therapy assistant, a dietitian, a certified social worker, a certified master social worker, a licensed clinical social worker, a paramedic, a physician, an osteopathic physician, a physician or osteopathic physician who is an applicant for a temporary educational permit, a physician or osteopathic physician who is an applicant for a temporary visiting faculty permit, a physician assistant, a dentist, a dental hygienist, an optometrist, a podiatrist, a veterinarian, an advanced practice registered nurse-nurse practitioner, an advanced practice registered nurse-certified nurse midwife, or an advanced practice registered nurse-certified registered nurse anesthetist shall be subject to a criminal background check.
(2) The Nebraska State Patrol is authorized to submit the fingerprints of such applicants to the Federal Bureau of Investigation and to issue a report to the department that includes the criminal -32- LB148 LB148 2025 history record information concerning the applicant.
-11- LB148 LB148 2025 (2) The Nebraska State Patrol is authorized to submit the fingerprints of such applicants to the Federal Bureau of Investigation and to issue a report to the department that includes the criminal history record information concerning the applicant.
A person holding a compact privilege to practice in Nebraska under the Dentist and Dental Hygienist Compact may engage in the practice of dentistry or dental hygiene as authorized pursuant to such -33- LB148 LB148 2025 compact.
A person holding a compact privilege to practice in Nebraska under the Dentist and Dental Hygienist Compact may engage in the practice of dentistry or dental hygiene as authorized pursuant to such compact.
(2)(a) An examination approved by the board under subdivision (1)(c) of this section shall be a simulation-based or manikin-based clinical competency psychomotor examination that demonstrates evidence of psychometric soundness and shall include (i) a simulation-based or manikin-based periodontal component, (ii) a simulation-based or manikin- based restorative component, (iii) a simulation-based or manikin-based prosthodontic component, (iv) a simulation-based or manikin-based endodontic component, and (v) a remediation policy to address candidate deficiencies.
(2)(a) An examination approved by the board under subdivision (1)(c) of this section shall be a simulation-based or manikin-based clinical competency psychomotor examination that demonstrates evidence of psychometric soundness and shall include (i) a simulation-based or manikin-based periodontal component, (ii) a simulation-based or manikin-based restorative component, (iii) a simulation-based or manikin-based prosthodontic component, (iv) a simulation-based or manikin-based endodontic component, and (v) a remediation policy to address candidate deficiencies.
-34- LB148 LB148 2025 (3) (2) Upon completion of these requirements, the department, with the recommendation of the board, shall issue the applicant a license to practice dentistry.
(3) (2) Upon completion of these requirements, the department, with the recommendation of the board, shall issue the applicant a license to practice dentistry.
38-1120 Every applicant for a license to practice dentistry based on a license in another state or territory of the United States or the District of Columbia shall meet the standards set by the board pursuant to section 38-126 and shall have been actively engaged in the practice of dentistry for at least one year three years, one of which must be within the three years immediately preceding the application, under a license in another state or territory of the United States or the District of Columbia.
38-1120 Every applicant for a license to practice dentistry based on a license in another state or territory of the United States or the District of Columbia shall meet the standards set by the board pursuant to section 38-126 and shall have been actively engaged in the practice of dentistry for at least one year three years, one of which must be within the three years immediately preceding the application, under a license in another state or territory of the United States or the District of Columbia.
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Action History

  1. Provisions/portions of LB83 amended into LB148 by AM391

  2. Approved by Governor on April 14, 2025

  3. Dispensing of reading at large approved

  4. Passed on Final Reading 47-0-2

  5. President/Speaker signed

  6. Presented to Governor on April 10, 2025

  7. Placed on Final Reading with ST5

  8. Enrollment and Review ST5 filed

  9. Enrollment and Review ST5 recorded

  10. Rountree AM391 filed

  11. Rountree AM391 adopted

  12. Advanced to Enrollment and Review for Engrossment

  13. Placed on Select File

  14. Advanced to Enrollment and Review Initial

  15. Placed on General File

  16. Notice of hearing for January 30, 2025

  17. Referred to Health and Human Services Committee

  18. Date of introduction

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

Export CSV (upgrade) →

1 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 48 not signed on

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (0)

None.

Not signed on (48)

48 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 48 →

"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Votes

Passed on Final Reading 47-0-2

Passed 47 Yea · 0 Nay · 2 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Unaffiliated 47002
Total 47002
% of votes cast 96%0%0%4%
How each member voted (49)
Member Party Vote
McKeon — Yea
Meyer — Yea
Ashlei Spivey — Yea
Barry DeKay — Yea
Beau Ballard — Yea
Ben Hansen — Yea
Bob Andersen — Yea
Bob Hallstrom — Yea
Brian Hardin — Yea
Carolyn Bosn — Yea
Christy Armendariz — Yea
Dan Lonowski — Yea
Dan Quick — Yea
Danielle Conrad — Yea
Dave Murman — Yea
Dave Wordekemper — Yea
Dunixi Guereca — Not Voting
Eliot Bostar — Yea
George Dungan — Yea
Jana Hughes — Yea
Jane Raybould — Yea
Jared Storm — Yea
Jason Prokop — Yea
John Arch — Yea
John Cavanaugh — Yea
John Fredrickson — Yea
Kathleen Kauth — Yea
Loren Lippincott — Yea
Machaela Cavanaugh — Yea
Margo Juarez — Yea
Megan Hunt — Yea
Merv Riepe — Yea
Mike Jacobson — Yea
Mike Moser — Yea
Myron Dorn — Yea
Paul Strommen — Yea
R. Brad von Gillern — Yea
Rick Holdcroft — Yea
Rita Sanders — Not Voting
Robert Clements — Yea
Robert Dover — Yea
Stan Clouse — Yea
Tanya Storer — Yea
Teresa Ibach — Yea
Terrell McKinney — Yea
Tom Brandt — Yea
Tony Sorrentino — Yea
Victor Rountree — Yea
Wendy DeBoer — Yea

Official roll call →

Rountree AM391 adopted

Failed 43 Yea · 0 Nay · 6 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Unaffiliated 43006
Total 43006
% of votes cast 88%0%0%12%
How each member voted (49)
Member Party Vote
McKeon — Yea
Meyer — Yea
Ashlei Spivey — Yea
Barry DeKay — Yea
Beau Ballard — Yea
Ben Hansen — Yea
Bob Andersen — Yea
Bob Hallstrom — Not Voting
Brian Hardin — Yea
Carolyn Bosn — Yea
Christy Armendariz — Yea
Dan Lonowski — Yea
Dan Quick — Yea
Danielle Conrad — Yea
Dave Murman — Yea
Dave Wordekemper — Yea
Dunixi Guereca — Yea
Eliot Bostar — Yea
George Dungan — Not Voting
Jana Hughes — Yea
Jane Raybould — Yea
Jared Storm — Yea
Jason Prokop — Yea
John Arch — Yea
John Cavanaugh — Yea
John Fredrickson — Yea
Kathleen Kauth — Yea
Loren Lippincott — Yea
Machaela Cavanaugh — Yea
Margo Juarez — Yea
Megan Hunt — Yea
Merv Riepe — Yea
Mike Jacobson — Yea
Mike Moser — Yea
Myron Dorn — Yea
Paul Strommen — Yea
R. Brad von Gillern — Yea
Rick Holdcroft — Not Voting
Rita Sanders — Not Voting
Robert Clements — Yea
Robert Dover — Not Voting
Stan Clouse — Yea
Tanya Storer — Yea
Teresa Ibach — Yea
Terrell McKinney — Yea
Tom Brandt — Yea
Tony Sorrentino — Yea
Victor Rountree — Yea
Wendy DeBoer — Not Voting

Official roll call →

Advanced to Enrollment and Review Initial

Passed 35 Yea · 0 Nay · 14 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Unaffiliated 350014
Total 350014
% of votes cast 71%0%0%29%
How each member voted (49)
Member Party Vote
McKeon — Yea
Meyer — Yea
Ashlei Spivey — Not Voting
Barry DeKay — Yea
Beau Ballard — Yea
Ben Hansen — Yea
Bob Andersen — Yea
Bob Hallstrom — Not Voting
Brian Hardin — Yea
Carolyn Bosn — Yea
Christy Armendariz — Yea
Dan Lonowski — Yea
Dan Quick — Not Voting
Danielle Conrad — Not Voting
Dave Murman — Yea
Dave Wordekemper — Yea
Dunixi Guereca — Not Voting
Eliot Bostar — Yea
George Dungan — Yea
Jana Hughes — Yea
Jane Raybould — Yea
Jared Storm — Yea
Jason Prokop — Yea
John Arch — Yea
John Cavanaugh — Not Voting
John Fredrickson — Yea
Kathleen Kauth — Yea
Loren Lippincott — Yea
Machaela Cavanaugh — Not Voting
Margo Juarez — Not Voting
Megan Hunt — Not Voting
Merv Riepe — Yea
Mike Jacobson — Yea
Mike Moser — Yea
Myron Dorn — Yea
Paul Strommen — Yea
R. Brad von Gillern — Yea
Rick Holdcroft — Yea
Rita Sanders — Yea
Robert Clements — Yea
Robert Dover — Not Voting
Stan Clouse — Yea
Tanya Storer — Not Voting
Teresa Ibach — Not Voting
Terrell McKinney — Yea
Tom Brandt — Yea
Tony Sorrentino — Not Voting
Victor Rountree — Yea
Wendy DeBoer — Not Voting

Official roll call →

Subjects

healthcare labor
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LB 148 is sponsored by Ben Hansen.
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This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced January 13, 2025. Enacted.
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