Criminal Justice

signed · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 952: Create the Supreme Court Operations Cash Fund and terminate the Supreme Court Reports Cash Fund and the Court Appointed Special Advocate Fund

Nebraska's LB 952 creates the Supreme Court Operations Cash Fund to replace two existing funds, terminating the Supreme Court Reports Cash Fund and the Court Appointed Special Advocate Fund. The new fund will be used for court and probation programs that improve justice administration and community safety, funded by fees, grants, donations, and payments from political subdivisions for court services. The bill also eliminates obsolete provisions related to fund transfers and grants. This reorganization streamlines court funding by consolidating resources under a single operational fund. The changes take effect on the bill's operative date, with remaining funds from terminated accounts transferred to the General Fund.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates Supreme Court Operations Cash Fund to improve justice administration and community safety via court/probation programs, explicitly funding criminal justice system operations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Probation & Parole

died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 1020: Provide for and change offenses involving mobile tracking devices, stalking, unlawful intrusion, operation of unmanned aircraft systems, and swatting and eliminate the requirement that courts impose probation for Class IV felonies

This bill amends Nebraska law to address several criminal offenses. It prohibits installing mobile tracking devices on others' property without consent (with limited exceptions for parents, law enforcement, or business purposes), updates stalking penalties, restricts drone operations in sensitive areas requiring operator certification, and creates a new offense for "swatting" (false emergency reports) that mandates restitution. It also removes the mandatory probation requirement for Class IV felony convictions. The bill directly affects individuals using tracking technology, drone operators, and courts handling specific criminal cases.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRemoves mandatory probation for Class IV felonies (reform measure), prohibits unauthorized mobile tracking (privacy protection), and creates swatting offense with restitution (public safety). Aligns with reform goals.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyProhibits unauthorized mobile tracking (data privacy) and regulates drone operations for safety, aligning with privacy protection and cybersecurity indicators.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Law Enforcement Probation & Parole Emerging Technology

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signed · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 965: Prohibit sexual abuse of a probationer or problem solving court participant and sexual abuse by a conservator, guardian, guardian ad litem, or child welfare service provider; change provisions relating to protection orders, certain offenses, attorney's fees, and victim notification requirements; and provide requirements for immunity for probation employees, Brady-Giglio disclosures, confidentiality for certain officers, registration under the Sex Offender Registration Act, county conflict counsel, and determinations of the best interest of the child

LB 965 prohibits sexual abuse of probationers, problem-solving court participants, and individuals under guardianship or child welfare services. It creates new legal protections for these vulnerable groups by defining and prohibiting such abuse by specific professionals like conservators, guardians, and child welfare providers. The bill also grants immunity to probation employees who administer naloxone for opioid overdoses and requires sex offender registration for violations related to these new prohibitions. These changes update Nebraska's criminal code to address gaps in protecting individuals under court supervision or care.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill prohibits sexual abuse by criminal justice professionals (probation, courts) and grants naloxone immunity to probation staff, enhancing protections for vulnerable individuals within the system.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Drug Policy Probation & Parole

died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 785: Prohibit conduct involving mail receptacle keys and locks with the intent to defraud or deprive another of property

This bill amends Nebraska's criminal code to clarify and expand definitions related to financial fraud. It defines "intent to defraud" (Section 28-618(10)) and prohibits conduct involving financial transaction devices with the purpose of defrauding others or depriving them of property. The key provisions harmonize existing laws and create new prohibitions around unauthorized use of financial devices, including counterfeit or altered devices. The bill title mentioning "mail receptacle keys" appears inconsistent with the actual content, which focuses solely on financial transaction fraud. It directly affects individuals committing financial fraud through devices like credit cards or payment systems.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill expands criminalization of financial fraud devices through new prohibitions, aligning with 'expands criminalization' indicator without reform elements.85% confidence

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died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 906: Prohibit law enforcement officers from wearing facial coverings or disguises and require officers to wear appropriate identification

This bill requires Nebraska law enforcement officers on duty to wear clear identification displaying their name, badge number, and agency name, and prohibits them from wearing facial coverings or disguises that obscure their identity. It directly affects all state, local, tribal, and federal officers working in Nebraska during routine operations. Exceptions include covert operations, health protection (like masks for airborne diseases), and safety gear for smoke or toxins. The law aims to improve public trust and officer accountability by ensuring visible identification during interactions.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill mandates clear officer identification to enhance accountability and transparency, directly supporting police oversight and civil rights in criminal justice reform.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

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died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 961: Adopt the Collateral Sanction Relief Act

LB 961, the Collateral Sanction Relief Act, creates a process for individuals with completed criminal sentences to seek relief from employment barriers caused by past convictions. It directly affects people who face job disqualifications (like losing a professional license or being denied employment) due to a conviction but have finished all sentence requirements, including prison time, fines, and probation. The bill establishes a court petition process where applicants must submit personal details, employment history, references, and a statement explaining how the certificate would help them secure work; no filing fee is charged. Once approved, the certificate helps individuals overcome "collateral sanctions" like occupational license denials, allowing them to pursue employment opportunities they were previously barred from.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeReduces post-sentence employment barriers for formerly incarcerated individuals, aligning with criminal justice reform goals to lower recidivism and aid reintegration.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Courts Probation & Parole

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died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 818: Change provisions relating to penalties for domestic assault and assault by strangulation or suffocation

This bill amends Nebraska statutes to increase penalties for domestic assault and assault by strangulation or suffocation. Specifically, it upgrades domestic assault in the third degree (causing bodily injury to an intimate partner) to a Class IIIA felony upon a second conviction (Section 28-323(14)), and changes strangulation assault to a Class IIA felony if the offender has a prior conviction for a similar offense (Section 28-310.01(4)). These changes directly affect individuals convicted of these crimes who have prior similar offenses, raising the severity of penalties for repeat violations. The bill focuses on adjusting criminal sentencing classifications without altering definitions or introducing new programs.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases penalties for domestic assault and strangulation, strengthening mandatory sentencing for repeat offenders.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Sentencing Violent Crime

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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 Mar 3, 2026

LB 741: Change the membership of the Racial Profiling Advisory Committee and the Nebraska Children's Commission

This bill changes membership requirements for two existing state committees. For the Racial Profiling Advisory Committee, it adds specific representatives from police associations (Fraternal Order of Police, Sheriffs Association), civil rights groups (ACLU, NAACP), labor (AFL-CIO), and legal organizations (Nebraska State Bar Association), while keeping existing roles for commission directors. For the Nebraska Children's Commission, it adds a representative from a federally recognized Nebraska Indian tribe (selected from a list by the Commission on Indian Affairs) and an African American Affairs representative (selected from a list by that commission). These changes adjust who serves on the committees but do not create new policies or directly affect the public. The bill amends existing statutes governing both committees' composition.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAdds civil rights groups (ACLU, NAACP) and police associations to racial profiling committee, promoting accountability oversight in law enforcement practices.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights Policing

died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 910: Require defendants convicted of sexual offenses against children to pay a fee for electronic devices seized during prosecution

LB 910 requires defendants convicted of sexual offenses against children to pay a $100 fee for each electronic device (like phones or computers) seized during their prosecution. The fee funds forensic analysis of these devices by the Nebraska State Patrol, covering costs related to examining digital evidence. This applies only to cases involving victims under 18, and courts must waive the fee if a defendant is found indigent. The law directly affects convicted offenders in these specific cases, not general criminal defendants.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeFunds forensic analysis of digital evidence in child sexual offense cases, strengthening law enforcement capabilities within criminal justice system.92% confidence

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