Criminal Justice

signed · Nebraska · Legislature Mar 3, 2026

LB 751: Require a study to improve reporting and investigation of missing Black women and children

Nebraska's LB 751 requires the Nebraska State Patrol to conduct a study aimed at improving how missing Black women and children are reported and investigated within the state. The study will involve collaborating with the Commission on African American Affairs, law enforcement partners, community organizations, and the U.S. Department of Justice to identify barriers, assess resource needs, and develop strategies for better reporting and investigation. The State Patrol must submit a report by June 1, 2027, containing data on missing Black women and children, analysis of existing barriers, and specific recommendations for policy or resource improvements. This bill directly affects Black women and children in Nebraska who go missing, as well as the state agencies responsible for their safety and investigation.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAddresses systemic gaps in missing persons investigations for Black women/children, aligning with civil rights protection and criminal justice reform indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 790: Change sanctions available for substance abuse violations of parole

This bill changes how Nebraska handles parole violations related to substance abuse. It requires the Department of Corrections to create a "matrix" of graduated sanctions for parolees who violate conditions related to substance use or technical violations (like missing appointments or failing tests). Instead of immediately revoking parole, officers can first impose administrative sanctions (such as more testing, counseling, or curfews) or request up to 30 days in a correctional or contract facility. The bill directly affects parolees in Nebraska who face substance abuse or technical violations, shifting the response from automatic revocation toward more structured, tiered consequences.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill replaces automatic parole revocation for substance abuse violations with graduated sanctions (counseling, testing, curfews) instead of immediate incarceration, promoting rehabilitation and reducing unnecessary revocations per criminal justice...85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Probation & Parole

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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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died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 1039: Prohibit school resource officers and security guards from using corporal punishment

LB 1039 prohibits school resource officers and security guards in Nebraska public schools from administering corporal punishment to students. The bill requires schools to establish written agreements with these personnel that include mandatory 20-hour training on de-escalation, implicit bias, student rights, and trauma-informed practices. It also mandates schools to maintain records of student referrals to law enforcement and establish clear policies for notifying parents and advising students of their rights during questioning. The bill directly affects all K-12 schools employing resource officers or security guards, extending prohibitions on corporal punishment to these roles.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill prohibits school resource officers (law enforcement) from corporal punishment and mandates de-escalation/implicit bias training, aligning with criminal justice reform by reducing excessive force and promoting accountability.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationProhibits corporal punishment and mandates trauma-informed training for school personnel, promoting student safety and well-being in K-12 education.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement K-12 Education School Safety

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died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 993: Provide a cause of action for deprivation of constitutional rights by a law enforcement officer, eliminate the defense of qualified immunity as prescribed, and change provisions of the Political Subdivisions Tort Claims Act and State Tort Claims Act

LB 993 creates a new legal pathway for people in Nebraska to sue law enforcement officers who violate their constitutional rights (like freedom from unreasonable searches or excessive force). It eliminates "qualified immunity" (a defense that previously shielded officers from lawsuits) and requires public employers (like cities or counties) to cover legal costs for officers unless they acted maliciously. The bill also waives government immunity for these cases and exempts them from standard tort claims processes, allowing victims to seek damages for injuries, emotional harm, or loss of liberty within three years of the violation. This directly affects law enforcement officers, their employers, and Nebraskans whose rights were allegedly violated by police or correctional staff.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEliminates qualified immunity for law enforcement, enabling lawsuits for constitutional rights violations and enhancing police accountability, directly advancing criminal justice reform.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing

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died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 752: State intent regarding appropriations to the Department of Correctional Services

This bill directs Nebraska's Legislature to reduce General Funds by $5.2 million for the Department of Correctional Services' Operations (Program 200) at the McCook Detention Facility for fiscal year 2026-27. It simultaneously requires the Department to use $5 million of General Funds for reentry and reintegration programs, covering tuition, fees, and direct costs for committed offenders. The bill directly affects the Department of Correctional Services' budget allocation and committed offenders participating in these programs. It mandates a specific reallocation of funds from facility operations to offender reentry services without creating new programs or altering eligibility.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRedirects $5M from correctional operations to reentry programs, funding essential services within budget allocation.90% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRedirects $5M from operations to reentry/rehabilitation programs (tuition/fees for offenders), directly promoting recidivism reduction per bill's explicit language.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole

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died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 1079: Change provisions relating to the habitual criminal enhancement for theft offenses

This bill changes Nebraska's sentencing rules for repeat offenders convicted of certain theft-related crimes. It raises the minimum prison term from 10 years to 25 years for individuals convicted of specific theft offenses (like shoplifting or property crimes listed in the bill) who have prior felony convictions for similar offenses. The bill creates new sentencing categories based on the type of current and prior offenses, including a reduced 3-year minimum for some repeat property crime convictions. It replaces the existing law and applies to people convicted of theft crimes with prior felony convictions in Nebraska or other jurisdictions.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases mandatory minimum sentences for repeat theft offenders (10 to 25 years), expanding criminalization and reducing defendant rights. This opposes criminal justice reform efforts.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Sentencing

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died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 874: Enhance penalties for motor vehicle homicide and motor vehicle homicide of an unborn child caused by wireless communication device violations

This bill increases penalties for drivers who cause death while using wireless communication devices (like texting) in violation of Nebraska law. It upgrades motor vehicle homicide charges to higher felony classifications (Class IIIA, IIA, or II) depending on the specific device violation committed, and imposes longer license suspensions or revocations (up to 15 years for severe cases). The bill also specifically addresses fatalities involving an unborn child, applying the same enhanced penalties when the driver’s device use caused the death. These changes affect drivers convicted of causing death while violating wireless device laws (sections 60-6,179.01-02, 60-6,213-214, or 60-6,196-6,197.06).

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill increases felony classifications and license suspensions for distracted driving homicides, enhancing penalties without reform elements.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill enhances road safety by increasing penalties for distracted driving (texting while driving), directly aligning with transportation safety indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Violent Crime

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