Criminal Justice

This legislative resolution directs the Health and Human Services Committee to conduct an interim study on how youth are rehabilitated and reintegrated into their communities. The study will examine various aspects including types of programming and placement, community-based services, probation roles, education, and fiscal impacts. The committee is tasked with reviewing state programs and historical background before submitting findings and recommendations to the Legislature. This action focuses on gathering information rather than implementing immediate policy changes.

This legislative resolution directs the Judiciary Committee to conduct an interim study examining domestic violence prevention and support policies used in other states. The study will review best practices in areas such as law enforcement training, specialized court models, access to rural shelters, interagency coordination, data collection, and offender accountability measures. The committee will gather input from survivors, advocacy groups, law enforcement, and healthcare providers to inform its findings. Upon completion, the committee will submit a report with recommendations to the Legislative Council or the full Legislature for potential policy improvements in Nebraska.

This legislative resolution directs the Judiciary Committee to conduct an interim study on the use of shackling on juveniles in Nebraska. The study will examine when shackling should be allowed or prohibited, how to draft clear rules for agencies and staff, and what other states have done regarding juvenile restraint policies. The committee will report its findings and recommendations to the Legislature after completing the review. This measure focuses on gathering information rather than enacting immediate changes to current practices.

This bill allocates $50,000 from the Victim's Compensation Fund for each of the 2025-26 and 2026-27 fiscal years to the Nebraska Commission on Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice. The funds are designated for Program 206 to support the implementation of Legislative Bill 1181, which was passed in the 2026 legislative session. The appropriation specifically prohibits using these funds for employee salaries or travel expenses, restricting them to other program-related costs. This measure provides financial resources to help carry out the provisions of the previously enacted LB 1181.

Nebraska's LB 855, the Youth Early Intervention and Support Act, creates a state-supported system for schools to identify and assist students showing early signs of distress. It requires all public school districts to form teams - including school staff, community health workers, and family advocates - to monitor specific indicators like chronic absenteeism, declining grades, behavior changes, or hygiene concerns, and connect students to support services instead of punishment. The system uses existing school and community resources to coordinate trauma-informed care, mental health referrals, and basic needs assistance while complying with federal privacy laws (FERPA/HIPAA). The bill directly affects Nebraska students in public schools and school districts, aiming to reduce juvenile justice and child welfare involvement through early, collaborative intervention.

This bill would allow Nebraska to cover supportive housing services through Medicaid by requiring the Department of Health and Human Services to seek federal approval. It establishes a "Housing First" approach - providing permanent housing without conditions (like sobriety requirements) paired with voluntary support services such as housing transition, tenancy stabilization, and care coordination. The bill creates a dedicated fund to cover both Medicaid-eligible services and non-Medicaid housing costs (e.g., short-term rental assistance). It directly affects Nebraskans experiencing or at risk of homelessness by expanding access to stable housing with integrated support.

Nebraska's LB 909 creates a specific criminal offense for "sexual abuse by a law enforcement officer," directly affecting law enforcement officers who commit such acts and minors (ages 16-19) who are protected under the new definition. The bill amends multiple laws to add this offense to the list of sexual assault crimes, requiring offenders to register under the Sex Offender Registration Act. It updates victim protections and notification rules to include this specific abuse type, ensuring victims receive the same safeguards as those abused by others. The law harmonizes existing statutes to explicitly address police-perpetrated sexual abuse while maintaining consistent legal definitions.

This bill (LB 1181) strengthens victim involvement in criminal cases by requiring county attorneys to consult with victims before entering plea agreements. It mandates that victim statements be included in presentence reports and standardizes the definition of "victim" across related Nebraska statutes. The bill repeals outdated sections (29-119 and 29-120) and harmonizes provisions related to victim rights and sentencing procedures. These changes directly affect crime victims, county attorneys, and courts handling felony and misdemeanor cases.

This bill increases penalties for violating domestic abuse and sexual assault protection orders in Nebraska. For first-time violations, it sets a Class I misdemeanor penalty; repeat violations escalate to higher felony classifications (Class IV for second offenses, Class IIIA for third, and Class IIA for fourth or more). The law directly affects individuals who breach court-issued protection orders, excluding the original petitioner. It replaces previous penalty levels with this tiered structure under the Protection Orders Act.

Nebraska's LB 1097 adopts the State and Political Subdivisions Sexual Abuse Liability Act, allowing victims of child sexual abuse or sexual abuse involving individuals with developmental disabilities to sue state agencies and local governments (like school districts or cities) directly. The bill waives government immunity for these cases, meaning victims can pursue civil claims against public entities in the same way they could against private organizations. It extends the statute of limitations, permitting lawsuits within 12 years after the victim turns 21 for abuse claims under specific statutes (sections 28-319.01 or 28-320.01), while removing time limits for claims against the direct abuser. This policy change removes barriers to holding public entities accountable for sexual abuse occurring in their care or oversight.