LINCOLN — Nebraska lawmakers advanced a controversial public safety bill Thursday that includes a provision to lower the minimum age for juvenile detention from 13 to 11 years old, a move that has drawn criticism from civil rights and child advocacy groups. The legislation, now known as Legislative Bill 530, is a consolidation of elements from at least nine different bills and was approved for final reading on a 33-0 vote, with 16 senators voting “present not voting.”
The detention age change, originally proposed by Sen. Merv Riepe of Ralston and supported by Governor Jim Pillen, was the most hotly debated component of the package. Supporters, including Douglas County law enforcement, argue the measure responds to increasing violent behavior among younger juveniles and is intended to intervene before deeper criminal patterns emerge.
Opponents, including several Democratic lawmakers and advocacy groups like the ACLU of Nebraska, Voices for Children, and RISE, argue that detention is not a substitute for mental or behavioral health support. Critics also expressed concern over expanding felony categories and surveillance measures for youth on probation.
Among other provisions in the bill are increased penalties for fentanyl-related deaths (LB 6), post-conviction relief access for minors (LB 44), and allowing law enforcement access to sealed juvenile records for handgun permit applications (LB 395). A proposal to make it a felony for youth to tamper with electronic monitoring devices was dropped during debate, following pushback from Sen. Ashlei Spivey of Omaha, who voiced concerns over racial bias and disproportionate punishment.
Committee Chair Sen. Carolyn Bosn said the bill strikes a balance between public safety and juvenile rehabilitation. However, lawmakers signaled more negotiations may take place before a final vote, especially over juvenile justice provisions that remain deeply divisive.
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