Criminal Justice (Domestic Violence) in Nebraska

in committee · Nebraska · Legislature Mar 30, 2026

LR 431: Interim study to examine best practices and policies implemented in other states to reduce domestic violence and improve outcomes for survivors

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.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Courts Domestic Violence Law Enforcement

died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 1000: Change penalties for violations of domestic abuse and sexual assault protection orders

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.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Courts Domestic Violence Violent Crime

died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 1059: Prohibit certain conduct relating to mobile tracking devices and change penalties for stalking

LB 1059 prohibits installing or using mobile tracking devices on another person's property or to monitor their movement without their consent. It specifically bans tracking without consent, requiring removal after consent is revoked (e.g., if a protection order is issued or a spouse files for divorce). Exceptions include law enforcement use, court-ordered monitoring, parents tracking minor children under specific family circumstances, caregivers for vulnerable adults with medical certification, and private investigators acting in legitimate legal investigations. The bill directly affects individuals who might misuse tracking technology and aims to protect privacy by strengthening consent requirements.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Technology

Sub-Topics Courts Domestic Violence Law Enforcement

died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 1088: Require persons convicted of misdemeanor crimes of domestic violence or subject to domestic abuse protection orders to surrender firearms for a period of time

LB 1088 (Nebraska, 2026) requires individuals convicted of misdemeanor domestic violence crimes or subject to domestic abuse protection orders to surrender all firearms and ammunition within 48 hours. This applies to people ordered to comply by a court during sentencing for domestic violence, when issuing a protection order, or for violating such orders. The law mandates surrender to a law enforcement officer or designated person, with firearms stored securely and returned after the order period (up to 7 years for convictions). Violating this requirement is a Class I misdemeanor, and courts must notify individuals of their obligations and federal firearm restrictions.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Courts Domestic Violence Firearms

died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 1020: Provide for and change offenses involving mobile tracking devices, stalking, unlawful intrusion, operation of unmanned aircraft systems, and swatting and eliminate the requirement that courts impose probation for Class IV felonies

This bill amends Nebraska law to address several criminal offenses. It prohibits installing mobile tracking devices on others' property without consent (with limited exceptions for parents, law enforcement, or business purposes), updates stalking penalties, restricts drone operations in sensitive areas requiring operator certification, and creates a new offense for "swatting" (false emergency reports) that mandates restitution. It also removes the mandatory probation requirement for Class IV felony convictions. The bill directly affects individuals using tracking technology, drone operators, and courts handling specific criminal cases.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Technology

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Law Enforcement Probation & Parole Emerging Technology

died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 876: Adopt the Immediate Protection from Abuse Act and change notice requirements under the Protection Orders Act

Nebraska's LB 876 creates the "Immediate Protection from Abuse Act," allowing law enforcement officers to issue protective orders immediately after arresting someone for domestic or sexual assault if they believe the restrained person poses an immediate threat. These orders prohibit contact, threats, firearm possession, and require the restrained person to stay away from the victim's residence or specified locations, including protections for household pets. The orders expire at 11:59 p.m. on the third day after issuance (or next court day if non-business day), and the bill eliminates the need for additional service of the order after the respondent's presence at a hearing. This directly affects victims of domestic/sexual assault and individuals arrested for such offenses.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Courts Domestic Violence Drug Policy

signed · Nebraska · Legislature Jun 2, 2025

LB 499: Change membership provisions relating to the Crime Victim's Reparations Committee

LB 499 amends Nebraska's Crime Victim's Reparations Committee membership rules to ensure more targeted representation. It requires the Governor to appoint five public members: two representing charitable organizations serving victims of sexual assault, human trafficking, or domestic abuse; two with direct experience supporting victims of those crimes; and one victim themselves. The bill also establishes staggered two-year terms for initial appointments before standard four-year terms begin. This directly affects the committee's composition and ensures members have specific expertise relevant to victim support services.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Human Trafficking Victims' Rights

died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 395: Change provisions relating to unlawful possession of a firearm by a prohibited juvenile offender and sealed records

Nebraska's LB 395 would have changed rules for juveniles (under age 25) previously found guilty of certain felonies or domestic violence misdemeanors, who are currently banned from possessing firearms. It created a process allowing these individuals to petition a court for exemption from the firearm ban once they turn 19 (to juvenile court) or 25 (to district court), considering their behavior and future crime risk. The bill also clarified that sealing a juvenile's criminal record (through court order) does not remove the firearm ban, and the sealed record would still indicate the underlying offense. However, the bill was amended into another measure (LB530) on June 6, 2025, and did not become law.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Firearms Juvenile Justice

signed · Nebraska · Legislature Jun 6, 2025

LB 80: Adopt the Protection Orders Act, require reporting of child abuse and neglect involving military families, provide for domestic violence victims to change rental agreements and request the changing of locks, and change provisions related to landlords and tenants

This bill creates Nebraska's "Protection Orders Act," strengthening legal safeguards for domestic violence victims. It extends the duration of protection orders, allows victims to request immediate lock changes or lease modifications from landlords, and requires reporting child abuse/neglect involving military families to relevant military installations. Key provisions include court-ordered removal of abusers from shared homes, temporary custody of children, and specific protections for household pets during domestic violence cases. The law directly affects domestic violence victims, their children, military families, and landlords navigating tenant safety concerns.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence

signed · Nebraska · Legislature Feb 26, 2025

LB 52: Provide additional offenses for which notification to crime victims is required

This bill expands Nebraska's victim notification law to include additional offenses where victims must be informed about offenders' status. It adds specific crimes like sexual assault of children, sex trafficking, domestic assault, stalking, and child enticement to the list of offenses triggering mandatory notification. Victims of these newly included offenses will receive updates about parole hearings, release dates, and other custody changes, following the same process already used for existing offenses. The law directly affects victims of these specific crimes by ensuring they receive notifications about the offender's progress through the correctional system.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Human Trafficking Victims' Rights

All criminal justice bills