LB 322 increases penalties for assaulting specific professionals while they are working. It makes assault on pharmacists, healthcare workers (including hospital/clinic staff), and emergency responders a higher felony classification when committed during their duties at pharmacies, hospitals, or clinics. The bill defines "pharmacist" as a state-licensed pharmacy practitioner and "health care professional" to include all employees at healthcare facilities. This amendment enhances existing assault penalties for these targeted groups without creating new prohibitions. The bill is currently postponed indefinitely in Nebraska's legislative process.
LB 271 prohibits interference with Nebraska railroad infrastructure, equipment, and personnel, directly affecting anyone who disrupts rail operations. It defines "interference" broadly to include tampering with tracks, signals, trains, or facilities; assaulting workers; or making false threats about rail safety. The bill establishes a serious felony charge (Class IIIA) for violating these provisions, replacing prior language in Nebraska's criminal code. This law aims to protect rail workers, passengers, and critical transportation infrastructure from deliberate or reckless disruptions.
LB 124 changes penalties for drivers who cause the death of an unborn child while operating a vehicle in violation of specific traffic laws. It upgrades the offense from a Class I misdemeanor to a Class IIIA felony for deaths caused by speeding violations under sections 60-6,213 or 60-6,214, and to a Class IIA felony for repeat offenses involving sections 60-6,196 or 60-6,197.06. The bill mandates a court-ordered license revocation for 60 days to 15 years for these violations, separate from any jail sentence. This directly affects drivers convicted of traffic-related deaths of unborn children, particularly those with prior speeding convictions.
Nebraska's LB 464 creates a new criminal offense for "organized retail crime," defined as stealing retail merchandise with intent to resell, distribute, or transfer it for value. It prohibits actions like removing anti-theft devices, conspiring to steal, or knowingly purchasing stolen items, with penalties based on the total value of stolen goods: a serious felony for $5,000+ stolen, a lesser felony for $1,500-$5,000, and a misdemeanor for $500-$1,500. The law directly affects individuals committing organized theft schemes, not retailers or the general public. It requires prosecutors to prove the total value of stolen items in court and eliminates defenses if stolen items were misrepresented as stolen.
LB 78, now law after being signed by the governor on May 20, 2025, creates a new housing assistance program for victims of domestic violence and sex trafficking. It establishes the Domestic Violence and Sex Trafficking Survivor Housing Assistance Fund, managed by the Department of Health and Human Services, to provide rental payments, security deposits, and other housing-related support. The bill also modifies juvenile sentencing rules to require courts to consider if an offender was a victim of abuse or trafficking when deciding whether to impose imprisonment. These changes directly affect survivors seeking housing stability and offenders in juvenile court cases where victimization is relevant.
LB 706 requires law enforcement officers to be accompanied by trained adult protective services (APS) social workers during calls involving individuals with mental health concerns or a history of mental illness. Dispatchers must screen calls for mental health issues, flag them as "Mental Health Priority," and notify nearby APS social workers to join the response. The APS social worker takes the lead in interactions, using de-escalation techniques and trauma-informed care to reduce the risk of harm. Law enforcement agencies must create written policies for this process, which the Nebraska Commission on Law Enforcement will review annually for compliance.
LB 519 requires Nebraska prisons to provide independent confirmatory testing for inmates who test positive for drugs via initial screening (urinalysis or field tests on suspected contraband items) before disciplinary action is taken. This applies directly to incarcerated individuals facing drug-related allegations, ensuring their results are verified by a separate lab. The bill mandates that correctional departments must arrange this testing upon inmate request, though inmates may be required to cover the cost if the confirmatory test remains positive. The legislation amends Nebraska's correctional statutes to establish this verification step, replacing the prior standard for handling drug-related disciplinary cases.
This bill requires Nebraska's Department of Health and Human Services to automatically review a noncustodial parent's child support order within 15 business days if they are incarcerated for more than 180 days. The department must notify both parents, request financial information within 30 days, and complete the review within 120 days. If the review finds no need to reduce support, the incarcerated parent is granted a conference to discuss the findings. The bill directly affects incarcerated parents paying child support, their children, and the state agency managing these orders.
LB 48 establishes a five-year pilot program for Family Resource and Juvenile Assessment Centers in Nebraska's metropolitan cities. These centers will provide free, 24/7 support services - including mental health counseling, family support, educational resources, and trauma-informed care - to youth and families at risk of entering the juvenile justice system. To qualify, centers must partner with community organizations, meet quality standards through a formal designation process, and track outcomes to measure success in preventing justice system involvement. Two centers will be designated under this program, focusing on addressing root causes like family dynamics and mental health through community-driven solutions.
LR 244 is a legislative resolution proposing an interim study focused on housing challenges for people returning to Omaha after incarceration. The study, led by the Urban Affairs Committee, will examine Nebraska laws, rental practices, housing options, and successful models from other areas to understand how housing affects reoffending and successful community reintegration. It will review local zoning, parole restrictions, and housing provider policies specifically impacting formerly incarcerated individuals in Omaha. This study does not create new laws but aims to gather data to inform future policy decisions about housing for returning citizens. The committee will report findings and recommendations to the Legislature after completing the review.
