The bill establishes the Protection Orders Act, amending various sections of Nebraska law to enhance protections for victims of domestic violence, harassment, and sexual assault. It introduces new definitions for terms such as "abuse," "course of conduct," and "household pet," and extends the initial period for protection orders to one to two years at the court's discretion. The bill outlines procedures for filing petitions, including the requirement to specify incidents of abuse, and allows for ex parte protection orders in cases of immediate danger. It also clarifies the responsibilities of landlords regarding domestic violence incidents involving tenants, enabling victims to remove perpetrators from rental agreements and change locks on their units.

Additionally, the bill modifies penalties for violating protection orders, categorizing them as misdemeanors or felonies based on the offense's nature. It emphasizes the confidentiality of petitioners' personal information and ensures that standard forms for petitions and affidavits are available. The legislation also establishes a presumption of validity for foreign protection orders and mandates that law enforcement agencies receive training on domestic abuse issues. Overall, the bill aims to strengthen the legal framework surrounding domestic violence and improve the safety and support available to victims in Nebraska.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 42-924, 42-925, 42-926, 42-924.01, 42-924.03, 42-928, 42-929, 42-924.02, 42-931, 28-311.12, 25-2740, 28-311.02, 28-311.04, 28-311.05, 28-358.01, 28-1205, 28-1206, 29-404.02, 29-422, 29-2292, 42-901, 42-903, 42-905, 42-927, 43-1609, 43-1611, 60-3209
Final Reading: 42-924, 42-925, 42-926, 42-924.01, 42-924.03, 42-928, 42-929, 42-924.02, 42-931, 28-311.12, 25-2740, 28-311.02, 28-311.04, 28-311.05, 28-358.01, 28-710, 28-713.01, 28-1205, 28-1206, 29-404.02, 29-422, 29-2292, 42-901, 42-903, 42-905, 42-927, 43-1609, 43-1611, 60-3209, 76-1401
Slip Law: 42-924, 42-925, 42-926, 42-924.01, 42-924.03, 42-928, 42-929, 42-924.02, 42-931, 28-311.12, 25-2740, 28-311.02, 28-311.04, 28-311.05, 28-358.01, 28-710, 28-713.01, 28-1205, 28-1206, 29-404.02, 29-422, 29-2292, 42-901, 42-903, 42-905, 42-927, 43-1609, 43-1611, 60-3209, 76-1401