A lawyer for public school districts in Nebraska say some are considering cutting hours for part-time employees who work between 30 and 40 hours per week to avoid offering them health insurance benefits.

The federal Affordable Care Act requires large employers to cover at least 60 percent of health care costs for an employee who works more than 30 hours per week. If large employers don’t, they risk owing a tax penalty.

Karen Haase, a lawyer representing about 150 school districts throughout Nebraska, says thousands of non-teaching employees could be offered extended health benefits, have their hours cut or be laid off.

State and some higher education officials say they are uncertain how the Affordable Care Act will impact temporary employees and adjunct faculty in Nebraska.