LB 296 requires Nebraska's State Department of Education to create a centralized system for tracking education records of students under juvenile court jurisdiction, ensuring their academic progress isn't disrupted during court involvement. The bill mandates hiring registrars to manage these records, analyze completed coursework, and award appropriate credit hours for students who finish classes while in the juvenile system. It also updates graduation requirements to include mandatory personal finance courses (starting 2023-24) and computer science education (starting 2027-28). The centralized system and registrars will be funded through the State Department of Education Improvement Grant Fund.
Nebraska's LB 395 would have changed rules for juveniles (under age 25) previously found guilty of certain felonies or domestic violence misdemeanors, who are currently banned from possessing firearms. It created a process allowing these individuals to petition a court for exemption from the firearm ban once they turn 19 (to juvenile court) or 25 (to district court), considering their behavior and future crime risk. The bill also clarified that sealing a juvenile's criminal record (through court order) does not remove the firearm ban, and the sealed record would still indicate the underlying offense. However, the bill was amended into another measure (LB530) on June 6, 2025, and did not become law.
Nebraska's LB 65 exempts individuals under 19 from paying court fees, costs, and probation fees in juvenile court proceedings and for certain criminal offenses committed as minors. The bill directly affects minors (under 19) and their parents/guardians, who will no longer be liable for these costs in juvenile cases. Key provisions include presuming minors indigent for discovery costs, banning fines in juvenile proceedings, and prohibiting recovery of fees from juveniles or their families. The bill also updates juvenile code provisions related to diversion programs, appointed counsel, and DNA testing costs.
Nebraska's LB 585 amends how state funds are distributed through the Community-based Juvenile Services Aid Program. It requires 10% of annual General Fund appropriations to be set aside: 5% for a centralized data collection system managed by the commission (to track program effectiveness and recidivism) and 5% for the University of Nebraska at Omaha to evaluate the program. Another 10% must be allocated to small community organizations ($1 million annual budget max) in designated census tracts that prevent juvenile crime before justice system involvement. The remaining funds are distributed based on county youth population statistics and prioritized for programs diverting juveniles from detention, reducing out-of-home placements, and supporting family services.
LB 700 protects the privacy of minors in court by requiring all criminal cases involving people under 18 to keep identities confidential throughout proceedings. It extends Nebraska's juvenile court jurisdiction to cover individuals up to age 26 and changes sentencing for those convicted of crimes committed before age 22, setting maximum sentences (e.g., 80 years for serious felonies). The bill also creates new rules for questioning minors during investigations, bars courts from using certain statements, and establishes state-funded reporting centers for juveniles. It prohibits sending minors out of state for court proceedings and updates confidentiality rules for agencies like child welfare and probation.
This bill redefines "habitually truancy" for students aged 13-17 as 20+ unexcused absences in a school year plus documented learning loss. It adds a defense against juvenile court adjudication for these cases, shifting focus from automatic court referrals to restorative justice approaches like truancy mediation. The bill also updates compulsory school attendance rules to align with these new procedures. Currently pending before Nebraska's Judiciary Committee with a hearing scheduled for March 27, 2025.
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 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.
Nebraska's LB 584 changes sentencing for juveniles (under 18) convicted of felonies. It establishes new minimum and maximum prison terms for Class IA through IIA felonies, such as 20-50 years for Class IA offenses. The bill requires courts to consider specific mitigating factors like the defendant's age, family environment, mental health evaluations, and developmental history before sentencing. This replaces previous sentencing rules and harmonizes juvenile sentencing with Nebraska's Juvenile Code, allowing courts to use juvenile disposition options instead of standard penalties.
LB 466 redefines specific terms in Nebraska's juvenile justice law to clarify existing procedures. It specifically revises the definition of "alternative to detention" to exclude physical restraints (like locked facilities), clarifying that electronic monitoring or community programs count, but hardware-based restrictions do not. The bill also adds detailed definitions for "staff secure juvenile facility" to distinguish it from secure detention. This purely definitional bill affects juvenile courts, detention facilities, and legal professionals who apply these terms in cases involving youth. It does not create new programs or change penalties.
