This bill proposes comprehensive reforms to Nebraska's laws concerning solicitation of prostitution, reclassifying it as "commercial sexual exploitation" and establishing new penalties, including a Class I misdemeanor for first offenses involving adults and a Class IV felony for offenses involving minors or repeat offenders. It mandates registration under the Sex Offender Registration Act for certain offenses related to commercial sexual exploitation and trafficking, while also allowing for the expungement of specific first-time offenses. The bill emphasizes the development of educational programs by the Nebraska Commission on Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice to address the negative impacts of prostitution and trafficking, and it includes provisions for the forfeiture of property used in violations of the Child Pornography Prevention Act.

Additionally, the bill amends existing laws related to trafficking, clarifying definitions and establishing new provisions for victims, including an affirmative defense for those who can prove they were victims of trafficking. It extends the statute of limitations for prosecution of certain offenses related to sex trafficking and child exploitation, allowing prosecution up to seven years after the offense or the victim's eighteenth birthday. The bill also introduces mechanisms for victims of sex trafficking to have their prostitution-related convictions set aside and allows for the sealing of criminal history records. Furthermore, it expands the list of offenses requiring registration under the Sex Offender Registration Act and clarifies the notification process for individuals regarding their registration status. Overall, the legislation aims to strengthen protections for victims, enhance public safety, and streamline legal processes related to trafficking and sexual exploitation.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 28-101, 28-801.01, 28-830, 28-831, 28-1354, 29-110, 29-3005, 29-3523, 29-4001, 29-4001.01, 29-4003, 29-4007, 29-4802, 76-1410, 84-941.01