This bill amends various sections of Nebraska law to provide financial relief for individuals under nineteen years of age by exempting them from certain court fees, costs, probation fees, and DNA collection and testing costs. It establishes a presumption of indigence for these individuals concerning fees related to criminal discovery and prohibits the recovery of costs and fees from juveniles and their parents or guardians in proceedings under the Nebraska Juvenile Code. The bill also modifies provisions related to juvenile pretrial diversion programs, ensuring that no fees or fines are imposed as a condition for participation, and mandates that the court inquire about health care coverage for juveniles, allowing for parents to cover any deductibles.

Additionally, the bill introduces a new requirement for the timely remittance of fees collected in criminal proceedings to the State Treasurer and clarifies that certain fees will not be charged to individuals described in section 1 of the act. It also adjusts the Law Enforcement Improvement Fund fee, ensuring it is not collected in juvenile court proceedings or from the specified individuals. Overall, the bill aims to streamline the fee structure associated with court processes while promoting equitable access to legal resources for juveniles and alleviating financial burdens on their families.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 24-703, 25-1140.09, 25-1914, 25-3010, 29-1903, 29-1920, 29-2207, 29-2262, 29-2262.04, 29-2262.06, 29-2704, 29-4106, 29-4121, 33-103, 33-106, 33-107.01, 33-107.03, 33-124, 33-126.05, 33-154, 33-155, 33-156, 33-157, 43-254, 43-260.04, 43-261, 43-272, 43-290, 47-633, 81-1429