Criminal Justice (Violent Crime)

died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 909: Prohibit sexual abuse by a law enforcement officer

Nebraska's LB 909 creates a specific criminal offense for "sexual abuse by a law enforcement officer," directly affecting law enforcement officers who commit such acts and minors (ages 16-19) who are protected under the new definition. The bill amends multiple laws to add this offense to the list of sexual assault crimes, requiring offenders to register under the Sex Offender Registration Act. It updates victim protections and notification rules to include this specific abuse type, ensuring victims receive the same safeguards as those abused by others. The law harmonizes existing statutes to explicitly address police-perpetrated sexual abuse while maintaining consistent legal definitions.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates specific offense for law enforcement sexual abuse, requiring registration and enhancing victim protections. Strengthens accountability within law enforcement, a core criminal justice reform element.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing Violent Crime

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died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 1000: Change penalties for violations of domestic abuse and sexual assault protection orders

This bill increases penalties for violating domestic abuse and sexual assault protection orders in Nebraska. For first-time violations, it sets a Class I misdemeanor penalty; repeat violations escalate to higher felony classifications (Class IV for second offenses, Class IIIA for third, and Class IIA for fourth or more). The law directly affects individuals who breach court-issued protection orders, excluding the original petitioner. It replaces previous penalty levels with this tiered structure under the Protection Orders Act.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeIncreases penalties for violating protection orders, strengthening enforcement of court-issued protections for victims of domestic abuse/sexual assault.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Domestic Violence Violent Crime

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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 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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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 535: Prohibit assault on a frontline behavioral health provider or health care worker and clarify provisions relating to assault on officers, emergency responders, certain employees, and health care professionals

LB 535 increases penalties for assaulting specific healthcare and emergency personnel in Nebraska. It prohibits assault on frontline behavioral health providers (like direct support professionals) and healthcare workers (including licensed practitioners and facility employees) while they are on duty at their facilities. The bill amends assault statutes to add these groups to the list of protected individuals, requiring enhanced penalties for causing serious bodily injury to them during work hours. It also clarifies and streamlines existing assault provisions related to officers, emergency responders, and healthcare professionals. The law directly affects healthcare workers, behavioral health providers, and emergency responders by making assaults against them punishable as more serious offenses.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill strengthens criminal justice by increasing penalties for assaults on healthcare workers, enhancing protections for frontline personnel through amended assault statutes.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill protects healthcare workers and behavioral health providers from assault, strengthening safety for mental health services delivery and healthcare system operations.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill enhances workplace safety for healthcare workers by increasing penalties for assault during work hours, directly protecting frontline employees.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Violent Crime

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died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 657: Create the offense of assault on a sports official and provide a penalty under the Nebraska Criminal Code

LB 657 creates a new felony offense for intentionally causing physical harm to a sports official during or immediately before/after an organized athletic event. It directly affects referees, umpires, and similar officials at all levels of organized sports (school, college, amateur, or professional) in Nebraska. The bill makes it a Class IV felony to assault such an official when the perpetrator knows or should know the victim's role, covering incidents occurring during games or right around them. This establishes specific criminal penalties for violence targeting sports officials, separate from general assault laws.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates new felony offense for assaulting sports officials, expanding criminalization under Nebraska Criminal Code without reform indicators.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Violent Crime

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signed · Nebraska · Legislature Feb 25, 2026

LB 103: Change provisions relating to admissibility of evidence of past sexual assaults and the procedure for taking depositions of certain witnesses

LB 103 amends Nebraska's evidence rules to prohibit asking victims about their past sexual behavior or sexual assault history during pretrial proceedings, such as hearings or depositions. This directly affects victims in criminal or civil cases involving alleged sexual misconduct, preventing attorneys from using such questions to challenge their credibility before trial. The bill allows limited exceptions in criminal cases (e.g., to establish the source of physical evidence) and in civil cases only if the court determines the evidence's value outweighs potential harm. It also requires written motions and private court hearings before admitting such evidence. The change aims to reduce trauma for victims during legal processes while maintaining specific legal safeguards.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProhibits use of victim's past sexual history to challenge credibility in sexual misconduct cases, aligning with victim protection and criminal justice reform principles.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Violent Crime

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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died · Nebraska · Legislature Jun 6, 2025

LB 124: Change penalties for motor vehicle homicide of an unborn child

LB 124 changes penalties for drivers who cause the death of an unborn child while operating a vehicle in violation of specific traffic laws. It upgrades the offense from a Class I misdemeanor to a Class IIIA felony for deaths caused by speeding violations under sections 60-6,213 or 60-6,214, and to a Class IIA felony for repeat offenses involving sections 60-6,196 or 60-6,197.06. The bill mandates a court-ordered license revocation for 60 days to 15 years for these violations, separate from any jail sentence. This directly affects drivers convicted of traffic-related deaths of unborn children, particularly those with prior speeding convictions.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeUpgrades penalties from misdemeanor to felony for vehicular homicide involving unborn child, increasing mandatory sentences per bill's sentencing enhancements.92% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill increases penalties for traffic violations causing fetal death, enhancing road safety under transportation laws (sections 60-6,213/60-6,196).92% confidence

Sub-Topics Violent Crime Traffic Safety

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