​Omaha senator’s juvenile justice bill receives unexpected revival

A bill aimed at helping Nebraska youth stay out of the juvenile justice system has been given new life after nearly failing in the Legislature. Legislative Bill 48, introduced by State Sen. Terrell McKinney of Omaha, proposes a five-year pilot program to create two Family Resource and Juvenile Assessment Centers. The centers would offer assessments, intervention, and community-based support for young people and families at risk of entering the justice system, addressing issues such as education struggles, mental health, and substance abuse. Though the $4 million proposal initially fell three votes short of advancing, quick negotiations on the legislative floor led to the bill being revived as an amendment to another measure — LB 382, which supports Meals on Wheels. With six Republican senators who previously opposed LB 48 now backing the revised version, the combined legislation advanced and will need two more rounds of debate to reach the governor’s desk. McKinney acknowledged the process wasn’t what he envisioned but said he was encouraged to see the bill still moving forward.