Criminal Justice (Juvenile Justice)

in committee · Nebraska · Legislature Mar 30, 2026

LR 425: Interim study to examine the rehabilitation and treatment of youth and the transition back to their communities

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.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill promotes youth rehabilitation and community reintegration, which aligns with criminal justice reform goals and reducing recidivism75% confidence

Sub-Topics Juvenile Justice Probation & Parole Tags Children

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in committee · Nebraska · Legislature Aug 25, 2026

LR 403: Interim study on the use of shackling on juveniles

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.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill promotes juvenile restraint policy reform by studying shackling practices, enhancing oversight and protecting civil rights in the justice system.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Juvenile Justice

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died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 855: Adopt the Youth Early Intervention and Support Act

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.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill replaces punishment with support services for at-risk youth, diverting them from criminal justice system involvement through early intervention.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill mandates school teams to provide early student support for distress indicators, promoting access to services over punishment, advancing student well-being in education.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates school-based mental health intervention system using community health workers to connect students with support services, advancing mental health access and early intervention.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Juvenile Justice Mental Health

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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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signed · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 962: Adopt the Youth Reentry and Transitional Support Act

LB 962 establishes the Youth Reentry and Transitional Support Act to support youth under 21 exiting juvenile detention, group homes, residential treatment programs, or probation supervision. The law requires state agencies to develop individualized transition plans within 60 days of custody, assign aftercare coordinators for up to 12 months post-release, and create individualized employment plans with career pathways. Key provisions include housing stabilization strategies, continuity of behavioral health and Medicaid services, credible messenger mentoring, and joint meetings between probation officers and coordinators. The program integrates existing state resources across the Department of Health and Human Services, Juvenile Services, Probation Administration, and the Department of Education.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEstablishes youth reentry support with transition plans, aftercare, and employment pathways to reduce recidivism and improve rehabilitation - direct criminal justice reform.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires continuity of behavioral health services during youth reentry, directly supporting mental health access for vulnerable populations transitioning from detention.92% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill explicitly includes 'housing stabilization strategies' as a key provision in transition plans for youth exiting detention, directly advancing housing stability for vulnerable populations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Juvenile Justice Probation & Parole Medicaid Mental Health

died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 1225: Change provisions of the Nebraska Juvenile Code relating to expedited appeals of motions to transfer to county or district court

LB 1225 modifies Nebraska's juvenile court process by establishing an expedited appeal timeline for decisions transferring cases to adult court. It requires the Court of Appeals to review such appeals within 90 days of filing, advancing them on the docket without standard extensions. This applies directly to juveniles facing transfer motions under Section 43-274, ensuring faster resolution of whether their case remains in juvenile court. The change aims to reduce delays in these sensitive proceedings while maintaining the juvenile court's authority to issue temporary orders during appeals.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpedited appeals for juvenile transfer motions reduce delays in court proceedings, promoting juvenile justice reform and protecting defendant rights through timely review.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Juvenile Justice

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signed · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 1155: Change provisions relating to legislative oversight

LB 1155 amends Nebraska laws to clarify access to confidential juvenile court records, directly affecting juvenile courts, probation officers, the Office of Inspector General (OIG), and foster care oversight offices. Key provisions require juvenile courts to share probation officer records with the OIG within five business days upon court order for investigations, while maintaining strict confidentiality for most records. The bill specifies limited circumstances where records may be shared with foster care offices, law enforcement (with court approval), or service providers directly working with the juvenile and family. It also reinforces that confidential records cannot be shared further without court authorization, preserving privacy protections for juveniles and families. The changes aim to harmonize existing record-access rules under juvenile justice and oversight statutes.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill mandates juvenile courts to share probation records with OIG for investigations, enhancing oversight in juvenile justice - a component of criminal justice reform.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Juvenile Justice Law Enforcement

died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 996: Prohibit the use of shackling or restraints on juveniles

LB 996 prohibits the use of shackles (like handcuffs, leg irons, or waist chains) on juveniles during transportation or detention, except in limited circumstances. It allows shackling only if a juvenile poses a substantial immediate risk of harm, no less restrictive alternative exists, and the restraint is used for the shortest time necessary. The bill also requires written documentation for any exception and mandates that transportation policies for juveniles (including those handled by private contractors) must follow these restrictions. This directly affects juveniles in Nebraska's justice system, law enforcement, and transportation staff who must now comply with these updated safety protocols.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProhibits unnecessary shackling of juveniles, protecting civil rights and advancing reform by reducing harmful detention practices in criminal justice system.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Juvenile Justice Law Enforcement

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died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 806: Provide for a grant to a city of the first class from the Site and Building Development Fund

LB 806 creates a specific $2 million grant from Nebraska's Site and Building Development Fund for a city of the first class located in the third congressional district. This grant is only available if the property previously housed a defunct university and is being revitalized to support youth exiting foster care or juvenile court supervision. The funds must be used to improve buildings or infrastructure for housing, employment, and program needs related to these youth. The bill amends existing law to add this targeted grant provision under the Site and Building Development Act.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $2M from Nebraska's Site and Building Development Fund to revitalize property for foster care/juvenile youth housing and employment programs, directly funding essential public services.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill funds infrastructure for youth exiting juvenile court supervision, supporting rehabilitation and reintegration to reduce recidivism, directly advancing criminal justice reform goals.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill allocates $2M grant specifically for housing infrastructure improvements to support youth exiting foster care, directly advancing affordable housing access for vulnerable populations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Juvenile Justice Property Development

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died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 1013: Change and eliminate provisions relating to names of state institutions and requirements relating to gender at youth rehabilitation and treatment centers

LB 1013 removes specific gender requirements for two Nebraska youth treatment centers: it eliminates the mandate that Kearney Center must serve only boys and Geneva Center must serve only girls. Instead, the bill requires all youth rehabilitation centers to ensure "safe and appropriate gender separation" during normal operations, while allowing temporary co-ed use for up to seven days during emergencies (like natural disasters) if needed. The bill also updates the official names of state institutions, including renaming the Kearney and Geneva centers to reflect their new operational flexibility. These changes apply to facilities under the Department of Health and Human Services providing juvenile residential treatment.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRemoves gender mandates in youth rehab centers, requiring safe gender separation and temporary co-ed use, aligning with civil rights protections in criminal justice reform.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Juvenile Justice

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