Criminal Justice

died · Nebraska · Legislature Jun 6, 2025

LB 404: Authorize the court to extend the term of probation on joint application of the probation officer and the probationer

Nebraska's LB 404 allows courts to extend a person's probation term when both the probation officer and the probationer jointly request it. This change modifies existing law to formally permit extensions within the original time limits (up to five years for felonies, two years for misdemeanors). The bill does not create new conditions or obligations but provides a clear process for extending probation when both parties agree. It directly affects individuals serving probation for felony or misdemeanor convictions in Nebraska.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeFormalizes probation extensions with mutual agreement, supporting rehabilitation flexibility without increasing penalties or restricting rights.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole

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died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 24: Change provisions relating to probation and waiver of probation fees

Nebraska's LB 24 establishes standardized fees for people on probation and participants in non-probation programs using probation resources. It requires a $30 one-time enrollment fee and monthly fees of $25 (standard probation) or $35 (intensive supervision), payable until probation ends. The bill mandates courts to waive these fees for individuals previously found indigent or facing undue financial hardship after a hearing. Crucially, it prohibits revoking probation solely for nonpayment if the person demonstrates financial inability through court procedures.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates fee waivers for indigent individuals and prohibits probation revocation for nonpayment, reducing financial barriers and aligning with criminal justice reform principles.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole

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died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 219: Remove a requirement for a minimum term of post-release supervision for Class III and IIIA felonies

This bill removes the minimum nine-month requirement for post-release supervision for individuals convicted of Class III and IIIA felonies who receive prison sentences. Previously, such offenders had to serve at least nine months under supervision after prison. The change eliminates this mandatory minimum period, allowing courts to determine supervision terms without that fixed requirement. It directly affects people convicted of these specific felony classes who are sentenced to prison. The bill amends Nebraska's sentencing statute to remove this specific provision.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRemoves mandatory post-release supervision minimum, aligning with criminal justice reform goals to reduce rigid sentencing requirements and promote judicial discretion in supervision terms.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole Sentencing

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died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 322: Prohibit assault on a pharmacist and clarify provisions relating to assault on officers, emergency responders, certain employees, and health care professionals

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.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill increases penalties for assaulting pharmacists and healthcare workers, strengthening legal protections under criminal justice.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill protects healthcare professionals (pharmacists, hospital staff) from assault by increasing penalties, directly supporting safety of medical professionals per topic definition.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Violent Crime Hospitals Prescription Drugs Primary Care

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signed · Nebraska · Legislature Jun 6, 2025

LB 78: Adopt the Domestic Violence and Sex Trafficking Survivor Assistance Act, change provisions relating to sentencing juveniles, and change the rate and allocation of the documentary stamp tax

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.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill modifies documentary stamp tax allocation to fund new housing assistance program for survivors, directly advancing budget/tax funding for public services.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates housing assistance for domestic violence/sex trafficking survivors and modifies juvenile sentencing to consider victim status, advancing victim support and rehabilitative sentencing reforms.92% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingCreates Domestic Violence and Sex Trafficking Survivor Housing Assistance Fund to provide rental payments and housing support, directly funding housing assistance for vulnerable populations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Human Trafficking Juvenile Justice

died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 706: Require adult protective services social workers to accompany law enforcement officers

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.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires APS social workers to lead mental health crisis responses, reducing police involvement and criminalization, aligning with de-escalation and trauma-informed reform in law enforcement.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates APS social workers to lead mental health crisis responses using de-escalation and trauma-informed care, improving patient access to specialized healthcare during emergencies.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

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signed · Nebraska · Legislature May 13, 2025

LB 519: Require independent confirmatory testing of potential items of contraband or drugs in prisons

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.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires independent verification before disciplinary action, protecting inmates from false drug allegations through accurate testing protocols in corrections.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

signed · Nebraska · Legislature May 21, 2025

LB 704: Change provisions relating to the review and modification of an incarcerated parent’s child support order

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.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAdjusts child support for incarcerated parents to reduce financial barriers, aiding reintegration and aligning with criminal justice reform goals like reducing recidivism.95% confidence

signed · Nebraska · Legislature Jun 6, 2025

LB 48: Establish a Family Resource and Juvenile Assessment Center Pilot Program

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.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill prevents juvenile justice system entry via free support services (mental health, trauma care), aligning with reform goals to reduce recidivism and strengthen community-based alternatives.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExplicitly includes mental health counseling as core service in pilot centers, advancing access to mental health care for at-risk youth.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Juvenile Justice

in committee · Nebraska · Legislature Sep 25, 2025

LR 244: Interim study to examine the state of housing for individuals returning home from incarceration in Omaha

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.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExamines housing barriers to reduce recidivism, aligning with criminal justice reform goals of successful reintegration.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole

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