This bill proposes comprehensive reforms to Nebraska's laws concerning solicitation of prostitution, rebranding it as "commercial sexual exploitation" and instituting a tiered penalty system. Under the new framework, first offenses involving adults will be classified as Class I misdemeanors, while offenses involving minors or repeat violations will be classified as Class IV felonies. The bill also mandates registration under the Sex Offender Registration Act for certain offenses related to commercial sexual exploitation and human trafficking, allows for the expungement of specific first-time offenses, and establishes a grant program to support law enforcement in tackling these crimes. Additionally, it outlines educational responsibilities for the Department of Health and Human Services, focusing on healthy family dynamics and the societal impacts of pornography and prostitution.

Moreover, the bill amends existing laws related to trafficking offenses, enhancing protections for victims and clarifying definitions. It introduces an affirmative defense for individuals prosecuted under certain sections if they can demonstrate they were victims of trafficking and allows for the setting aside of convictions for those who have completed their sentences. The bill also updates the statute of limitations for various criminal offenses, particularly extending time limits for prosecuting sex trafficking cases involving minors. It includes provisions for sealing criminal records related to prostitution offenses for victims of sex trafficking and expands the categories of offenses requiring registration under the Sex Offender Registration Act. Overall, the bill aims to modernize Nebraska's legal framework surrounding these issues, emphasizing prevention, education, and victim support.

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