NebraskaNebraska law counts designated corrections employees as law enforcement officers
The signed Nebraska law includes department-designated corrections employees in its law enforcement officer definition, with qualification rules and an exception for officers appointed conditionally.
What it does
The signed law counts corrections employees chosen by their department as law enforcement officers under its qualification rules. Those rules also allow officers appointed conditionally before certification.
Argument forRecognizing designated corrections employees who meet officer qualifications could clarify their status when they investigate crimes or enforce laws.
Argument againstGiving the department control over designations could leave corrections employees who do similar work with different officer status.
More detail
The signed law includes department-designated corrections employees in the definition of law enforcement officer. It covers employees chosen by the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services. Other corrections employees are excluded from this definition. The general definition requires entry-level academy certification, more than 100 hours of crime prevention, crime detection, or law enforcement work each year, and legal authority to arrest. Officers must hold a valid officer certificate or diploma, except officers appointed on a conditional basis who are not yet certified.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed 1st Chamber
- Passed 2nd Chamber
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Apr 17Presented to Governor on April 10, 2026To Governor
- Apr 17Approved by Governor Jim Pillen on April 14, 2026Became Law
- Apr 10Passed on Final Reading 42-7*-0Passed 2nd Chamber
- Vote recorded Passed on Final Reading 42-7*-0. Result: pass.Legislature
- Apr 10President/Speaker signedPassed 1st Chamber
- Apr 7Placed on Final ReadingMinor
- Apr 1Kauth FA393 withdrawn
- Apr 1Advanced to Enrollment and Review for Engrossment
- Mar 30Placed on Select FileMinor
- Mar 24Advanced to Enrollment and Review Initial
- Vote recorded Advanced to Enrollment and Review Initial. Result: pass.Legislature
- Feb 24Placed on General FileMinor
- Feb 20Speaker priority bill
- Jan 15Notice of hearing for January 23, 2026
- Jan 9Referred to Judiciary CommitteeMinor
- Jan 8Kauth FA393 filedMinor
- Jan 7Date of introductionIntroduced
Criminal JusticePublic Safety