This bill amends various sections of Nebraska's statutes to enhance the rights and benefits available to eligible aliens, particularly those employed as law enforcement officers. It introduces definitions for "eligible alien" and "approved identification document," allowing these individuals to access law enforcement training, certification, and public benefits, including retirement programs, scholarships, and financial aid, without regard to the lawful presence of their family members. The bill also modifies verification processes for lawful presence, ensuring compliance with federal regulations while eliminating obsolete provisions and mandating annual reporting by state agencies on compliance with the new provisions.

Additionally, the bill clarifies eligibility requirements for participation in retirement systems, specifying that employees must provide at least one approved identification document to demonstrate their status. It removes outdated language regarding acceptable documents for proving citizenship or lawful presence, streamlining the process for compliance. The legislation ensures that no employee may participate in deferred compensation plans unless they are a United States citizen, lawfully present, or an eligible alien employed as a law enforcement officer. Overall, the bill aims to make the retirement system more accessible while maintaining necessary legal standards for participation.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 4-109, 4-108, 4-110, 4-111, 4-112, 4-113, 23-2306, 24-703.01, 48-628.04, 79-915, 81-1401, 81-1410, 81-2016, 84-1307, 84-1504