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One Hundred Ninth Legislature - First Session - 2025
Introducer€s Statement of Intent
LB556
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Chairperson: Senator Carolyn Bosn
Committee: Judiciary
Date of Hearing: March 13, 2025
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The following constitutes the reasons for this bill and the purposes which are sought to be
accomplished thereby:
LB556 enhances Nebraskas juvenile justice system by:
‚ Lowering the minimum age for charging juveniles as adults for serious felonies
(Class I, IA, IB, IC, ID, II, and IIA) from 14 to 12 (amending § 29-1816).
‚ Defining "detention" in the Nebraska Juvenile Code as placement in a secure
facility, clarifying that alternatives like ankle monitors are not detention
(amending § 43-245).
‚ Requiring a judge to determine detention for felony arrests after consulting with
a probation officer, rather than leaving the decision solely to probation officers
(amending § 43-250).
‚ Expanding criteria for detention to include juveniles who pose a safety risk, have
a record of failing to appear, or have a history of fleeing or violent offenses
(amending §§ 43-251.01, 43-253).
‚ Mandating court hearings for juvenile placements, removing automatic waivers
unless all parties agree (amending § 43-253).
‚ Lowering the minimum age for detention from 13 to 11 (amending § 43-251.01).
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Principal Introducer:________________________________
Senator Merv Riepe
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