Criminal Justice

signed · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 1216: Provide for educational services for prisoners

This bill requires Nebraska correctional facilities to provide educational services to prisoners under 21 years old who have not earned a high school diploma or equivalent. The services must include a minimum curriculum of language arts, social science, science, and mathematics, and may also cover vocational training, computer education, or other subjects. The Director of Correctional Services must ensure these programs meet standards set by the State Department of Education, and the State Board of Education can establish rules to enforce these requirements. The bill repeals the previous law governing educational programming in correctional facilities.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates educational programs for incarcerated youth to reduce recidivism, aligning with rehabilitation-focused criminal justice reform.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates educational services for incarcerated youth under 21, expanding access to curriculum standards set by State Department of Education.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Career & Technical Education Curriculum K-12 Education

died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 804: Provide confidential peer support counseling for law enforcement officers, emergency services personnel, and Nebraska National Guard personnel

Nebraska bill LB 804 creates confidential peer support counseling for law enforcement officers, emergency services personnel (including firefighters and EMTs), and Nebraska National Guard members. It protects communications during these sessions from being disclosed in court, to the public, or used in legal proceedings, while defining "peer support specialists" as trained colleagues who lead sessions after traumatic incidents. The confidentiality does not apply to threats of suicide, criminal acts, or required abuse reports. This bill makes existing peer support programs legally protected without creating new funding or services.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill provides confidential mental health support for law enforcement, enhancing officer well-being within criminal justice system.65% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill creates confidential mental health peer support for first responders, expanding access to care and protecting patient rights through legal confidentiality protections.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Law Enforcement

Track

died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 755: Adopt the Emergency Service Peer Support Act

LB 755 adopts the Emergency Service Peer Support Act to establish confidential peer support programs for emergency service employees, including law enforcement officers, firefighters, EMTs, dispatchers, correctional officers, and hospital staff. The bill defines "peer support" as structured programs where trained peers provide emotional, practical, and resource-based assistance to colleagues facing personal or professional challenges, with all communications kept strictly confidential. It mandates that peer support sessions begin with the peer confirming confidentiality and prohibits disclosure of these sessions in any legal, disciplinary, or administrative proceeding. This law protects employees from having private discussions used against them while ensuring peer support remains a safe, accessible resource for mental health resilience.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEstablishes confidential peer support for law enforcement/correctional officers, promoting officer well-being and accountability within criminal justice system.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes confidential peer support for emergency service mental health, directly advancing mental health services for healthcare workers including hospital staff.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Hospitals Mental Health

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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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died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 1036: Change Nebraska Evidence Rules to provide for consideration of evidence of other crimes, wrongs, or acts as prescribed

This bill amends Nebraska's evidence rules to clarify when evidence of other crimes, wrongs, or acts can be admitted in criminal trials. It specifically allows such evidence if it is "inextricably intertwined" with the charged crime - meaning it forms part of the factual setting, is blended with the crime, or is necessary to present a coherent picture of the case. Prosecutors must now prove to the court (outside jury presence) that the evidence meets this standard and is relevant to purposes like motive, intent, or identity. This change affects criminal defendants, prosecutors, and judges during trial proceedings by setting clearer boundaries for admitting prior misconduct evidence.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRestricts admissibility of other crimes evidence to 'inextricably intertwined' cases, protecting defendant rights from prejudicial evidence. Aligns with criminal justice reform by limiting prosecutorial overreach.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

Track

died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 1137: Change provisions relating to residential contracts, notice of cancelations, prohibited acts, and post-loss assignment of rights or benefits under the Insured Homeowners Protection Act, licenses, contracts, prohibited acts, and fees under the Public Adjusters Licensing Act, and penalties relating to fraudulent insurance acts

LB 1137 clarifies and strengthens penalties for insurance fraud in Nebraska by updating definitions and penalty structures under the Insurance Fraud Act. It specifically defines prohibited acts (like submitting false claims or counterfeit policies) and sets tiered penalties based on the amount defrauded (e.g., Class III felony for $5,000+). The bill directly affects insurers, agents, policyholders, and public adjusters by making fraudulent activities more clearly punishable under amended sections 28-631 and 44-6604. Key changes include harmonizing provisions across insurance laws and specifying that aggregated fraud amounts from one scheme determine penalty levels.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeStrengthens criminal penalties for insurance fraud, directly enhancing enforcement under criminal justice framework90% confidence

Track

died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 859: Provide for county conflict counsel to represent certain indigent persons when the public defender is unavailable

Nebraska's LB 859 requires counties with public defenders to appoint "county conflict counsel" when the public defender cannot represent indigent defendants due to conflicts of interest or other court-approved reasons. These appointed attorneys must represent low-income criminal defendants in the same way as public defenders, with full-time requirements in counties over 170,000 population. The bill mandates counties to notify judges and court officials when hiring such counsel and prohibits these attorneys from taking private fees for these cases. It does not change eligibility for indigent representation but ensures consistent access to legal counsel during gaps in public defender availability.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill ensures indigent defendants receive legal representation when public defenders are unavailable, protecting defendant rights and strengthening court fairness in criminal justice.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

Track

died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 876: Adopt the Immediate Protection from Abuse Act and change notice requirements under the Protection Orders Act

Nebraska's LB 876 creates the "Immediate Protection from Abuse Act," allowing law enforcement officers to issue protective orders immediately after arresting someone for domestic or sexual assault if they believe the restrained person poses an immediate threat. These orders prohibit contact, threats, firearm possession, and require the restrained person to stay away from the victim's residence or specified locations, including protections for household pets. The orders expire at 11:59 p.m. on the third day after issuance (or next court day if non-business day), and the bill eliminates the need for additional service of the order after the respondent's presence at a hearing. This directly affects victims of domestic/sexual assault and individuals arrested for such offenses.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill creates immediate protective orders for domestic/sexual assault victims, strengthening victim safety and streamlining court processes within criminal justice system.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Domestic Violence Drug Policy

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signed · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 816: Provide privileges and immunities relating to peer support services communications by public safety personnel and change provisions relating to emergency protective custody

LB 816 protects the confidentiality of communications between public safety personnel and peer support team members. It makes peer support meetings and related records privileged and confidential, meaning they cannot be disclosed in court, treated as public records, or used in disciplinary proceedings. This law directly affects law enforcement officers, firefighters, emergency medical personnel, and support staff (like dispatchers) who receive or provide peer support for critical incidents or personal issues. The only exceptions to confidentiality are with the recipient's written consent or if a person's safety is at immediate risk.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProtects peer support confidentiality for public safety personnel, promoting officer mental health and accountability within criminal justice system.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProtects mental health peer support confidentiality for public safety personnel, encouraging access to care without fear of disclosure, directly supporting mental health services.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProtects confidentiality of peer support communications for public safety workers, enabling access to mental health resources without fear of disclosure, thus supporting workplace well-being and critical incident response.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Law Enforcement