This bill amends Nebraska's mental health laws to improve the commitment process for individuals deemed mentally incompetent to stand trial. Key changes include a reduction in the timeline for the Department of Health and Human Services to file a report on alternative treatment plans with the court from twenty-one days to five days. Additionally, the bill requires the court to hold competency hearings every five days instead of every sixty days, enhancing the frequency of judicial oversight. It also introduces provisions for the county attorney to file various documents with the court, ensuring that the judicial system remains informed about the defendant's treatment and progress.

Furthermore, the bill enhances the emergency protective custody process by mandating that law enforcement officers execute a written certificate when taking a person into custody, which must be filed with the court by the county attorney. It establishes that individuals with prior sex offense convictions will be admitted to jails or correctional facilities unless a medical emergency necessitates treatment at a medical facility. The bill also outlines the necessary information for certificates and treatment plans, including personal details, the nature of the mental illness, and clinical opinions from mental health professionals. Overall, the legislation aims to streamline the mental health commitment process, improve communication among law enforcement, courts, and mental health professionals, and enhance the management of dangerous sex offenders within the mental health system.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 29-1823, 71-919, 71-931, 71-932, 71-933, 71-937, 71-1204, 71-1215, 71-1216, 71-1217, 71-1221