Criminal Justice (Courts)

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 JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill promotes domestic violence prevention and survivor outcomes through improved law enforcement training, specialized courts, and interagency coordination.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Domestic Violence Law Enforcement

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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 JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeIncreases penalties for violating protection orders, strengthening enforcement of court-issued protections for victims of domestic abuse/sexual assault.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Domestic Violence Violent Crime

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died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 1169: Prohibit assault on a court operations officer

LB 1169 amends Nebraska assault statutes to specifically prohibit assault against court operations officers. It defines these officers as non-sworn court staff who provide courthouse security screening, serve legal documents, or maintain safety during proceedings. The bill expands existing enhanced penalties for assaulting public safety officers and health care professionals to include court operations officers, requiring that assaults cause serious bodily injury while the officer is performing duties. This change harmonizes assault provisions and repeals outdated sections (like 28-931.01) related to assault using vehicles. The bill directly affects courthouse security personnel and strengthens legal protections for them during official duties.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands enhanced penalties for assaulting court operations officers, strengthening courthouse safety and protecting personnel central to criminal justice system operations.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Violent Crime

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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 JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProhibits unauthorized mobile tracking to prevent stalking, protecting victims' rights and aligning with criminal justice reform by enhancing personal security and setting clear legal boundaries.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyProhibits unauthorized mobile tracking (data privacy protection) and requires consent revocation, directly strengthening personal data privacy within technology policy.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Domestic Violence Law Enforcement

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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 JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires firearm surrender for domestic violence offenders, enhancing public safety and aligning with criminal justice reform goals to prevent repeat offenses.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Domestic Violence Firearms

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signed · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 952: Create the Supreme Court Operations Cash Fund and terminate the Supreme Court Reports Cash Fund and the Court Appointed Special Advocate Fund

Nebraska's LB 952 creates the Supreme Court Operations Cash Fund to replace two existing funds, terminating the Supreme Court Reports Cash Fund and the Court Appointed Special Advocate Fund. The new fund will be used for court and probation programs that improve justice administration and community safety, funded by fees, grants, donations, and payments from political subdivisions for court services. The bill also eliminates obsolete provisions related to fund transfers and grants. This reorganization streamlines court funding by consolidating resources under a single operational fund. The changes take effect on the bill's operative date, with remaining funds from terminated accounts transferred to the General Fund.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates Supreme Court Operations Cash Fund to improve justice administration and community safety via court/probation programs, explicitly funding criminal justice system operations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Probation & Parole

signed · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 965: Prohibit sexual abuse of a probationer or problem solving court participant and sexual abuse by a conservator, guardian, guardian ad litem, or child welfare service provider; change provisions relating to protection orders, certain offenses, attorney's fees, and victim notification requirements; and provide requirements for immunity for probation employees, Brady-Giglio disclosures, confidentiality for certain officers, registration under the Sex Offender Registration Act, county conflict counsel, and determinations of the best interest of the child

LB 965 prohibits sexual abuse of probationers, problem-solving court participants, and individuals under guardianship or child welfare services. It creates new legal protections for these vulnerable groups by defining and prohibiting such abuse by specific professionals like conservators, guardians, and child welfare providers. The bill also grants immunity to probation employees who administer naloxone for opioid overdoses and requires sex offender registration for violations related to these new prohibitions. These changes update Nebraska's criminal code to address gaps in protecting individuals under court supervision or care.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill prohibits sexual abuse by criminal justice professionals (probation, courts) and grants naloxone immunity to probation staff, enhancing protections for vulnerable individuals within the system.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Drug Policy Probation & Parole

died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 961: Adopt the Collateral Sanction Relief Act

LB 961, the Collateral Sanction Relief Act, creates a process for individuals with completed criminal sentences to seek relief from employment barriers caused by past convictions. It directly affects people who face job disqualifications (like losing a professional license or being denied employment) due to a conviction but have finished all sentence requirements, including prison time, fines, and probation. The bill establishes a court petition process where applicants must submit personal details, employment history, references, and a statement explaining how the certificate would help them secure work; no filing fee is charged. Once approved, the certificate helps individuals overcome "collateral sanctions" like occupational license denials, allowing them to pursue employment opportunities they were previously barred from.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeReduces post-sentence employment barriers for formerly incarcerated individuals, aligning with criminal justice reform goals to lower recidivism and aid reintegration.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Courts Probation & Parole

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died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 995: Require appointment of counsel for juveniles and provide duties for juvenile courts

This bill requires Nebraska juvenile courts to appoint an attorney for juveniles in specific court cases. It mandates appointment when a petition alleges jurisdiction under certain sections of juvenile law, particularly for juveniles in counties under 150,000 population and for all cases in larger counties. The court must inform juveniles and their parents/guardians about their right to counsel, determine financial ability to pay for an attorney, and appoint one at county expense if they cannot afford one. This applies to all proceedings before the juvenile court, ensuring juveniles have legal representation during legal hearings.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires juvenile courts to appoint counsel, protecting defendants' rights and aligning with criminal justice reform by ensuring fair legal representation for minors.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Juvenile Justice

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died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 789: Provide an exclusion from the hearsay rule for a statement offered against a party that wrongfully caused the declarant's unavailability

This Nebraska bill (LB 789) amends evidence rules to allow certain witness statements in court when a party (like a defendant) wrongfully caused the witness to become unavailable. Specifically, it adds an exception to the hearsay rule: if a party intentionally made a witness unavailable (e.g., through threats or harm) to prevent testimony, statements made by that witness can now be used against them. This affects legal cases where witness unavailability was caused by the opposing party’s misconduct. The change streamlines courtroom procedures by permitting such statements as evidence without requiring the usual hearsay exceptions.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill allows use of witness statements when defendant caused unavailability, enhancing accountability by preventing witness intimidation in criminal trials.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

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