Bill > LB556

This bill proposes significant changes to Nebraska's juvenile justice system, primarily focusing on court jurisdiction, detention practices, and age thresholds for juvenile proceedings. The bill lowers the age from fourteen to twelve for certain serious felony offenses that can be prosecuted in county or district court, and provides a more detailed definition of detention as temporary care in a physically restrictive facility designed to control a juvenile's movement. It establishes more comprehensive criteria for when a juvenile can be detained, emphasizing that detention should only occur when the physical safety of the community is seriously threatened, when the juvenile has a history of failing to appear in court, or when there is an immediate need to protect the juvenile or others. The bill also specifies that children ten years old and younger cannot be placed in detention under any circumstances, and reinforces that detention should not be used as a punishment, for administrative convenience, or to avoid parental responsibilities. Additionally, the bill requires that before removing a juvenile from their home, all community-based resources must be exhausted, and there must be a significant risk of harm to the juvenile or community to justify such a placement. These changes aim to create a more nuanced and rehabilitative approach to handling juvenile justice cases.

Justice

https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=59110