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(Lincoln, NE) The Governor, the Attorney General and the sponsoring Senator lauded the upcoming implementation of LB 1199, Nebraska’s comprehensive approach to protecting families from the crimes of sexual predators.
The new provisions, which take effect Friday, July 14, were developed jointly by Gov. Dave Heineman, Attorney General Jon Bruning and Sen. Pat Bourne of Omaha, Chairman of the Legislature’s Judiciary Committee.
Gov. Heineman said, “We wanted something more effective than the quick-fix legislation that has been pursued in other states. Our state is united behind the idea that placing a priority on the protection of our children is worth the price. I appreciate the cooperation of Senator Bourne, the Attorney General and the Legislature in confronting this issue.”
The package stiffens penalties for criminals who perpetrate their crimes on children; it enables new post-sentence monitoring of offenders; and it creates a new mental health commitment standard for offenders deemed unsafe to return to society. LB 1199 also includes guidelines for local residency restrictions that focus on protecting places where children gather.
Attorney General Bruning said, “As prosecutors, this new, comprehensive law gives us additional tools to lock up predators for a long time. Keeping these criminals out of our communities will help prevent them from preying on Nebraska’s innocent children.”
Sen. Bourne said, “With the passage of residency restrictions in other states, Nebraska communities were looking to us to provide them with the tools to make their communities safer. The Governor, the Attorney General and the Legislature worked together to create a comprehensive bill that will make Nebraska communities safer for our children.
“This bill addresses the entire spectrum of dealing with sex offenders and offers a common sense solution designed to help make our communities safer.”
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