The proposed bill seeks to strengthen the legal framework for protection orders in Nebraska by introducing the Protection Orders Act, which includes new definitions for terms such as "abuse," "course of conduct," "household pet," and "sexual assault offense." It extends the initial duration of protection orders to one to two years, allows for the renewal of these orders under specific conditions, and clarifies that petitions and affidavits will serve as evidence during hearings. The bill also establishes that fees for filing or serving protection orders will not be charged unless the court finds the petition was filed in bad faith, and it emphasizes the confidentiality of petitioners' personal information.

Additionally, the bill amends existing laws to ensure that valid foreign protection orders are recognized and enforced in Nebraska, while also enhancing penalties for violations, particularly in cases involving deadly weapons or minors. It updates definitions related to domestic violence and outlines the authority of peace officers in making arrests for domestic violence offenses. The legislation aims to create a more robust legal framework for addressing domestic violence and related offenses, ensuring better protection for victims and a streamlined process for obtaining and enforcing protection orders.

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