This bill seeks to amend Nebraska law to ensure that inmates in city and county jails, as well as those employed by the Department of Correctional Services, receive at least minimum wage for their work. It introduces new definitions for terms such as "administrator," "inmate," and "jail," and requires jail administrators to open deposit accounts for inmates earning wages. The legislation emphasizes the protection of inmates' rights, prohibits excessive labor, and mandates that inmate employment should not displace existing workers. Additionally, it requires the Jail Standards Board to establish regulations regarding labor conditions and compensation rates, while also aligning existing laws with these new requirements.

Moreover, the bill repeals certain provisions related to the establishment of industries and farms by the Department of Correctional Services and modifies existing laws to ensure compliance with federal workplace safety laws. It mandates annual reporting on restitution collection from inmate wages and requires adherence to the Occupational Safety and Health Act, even if it does not directly apply to inmate employment. The bill also establishes a Reentry Cash Fund to support reentry and reintegration programs for offenders, while consolidating and updating the legal framework governing the treatment and employment of individuals in correctional facilities.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 29-2414, 29-2415, 29-2708, 33-157, 47-208, 48-1202, 73-814, 81-1835, 83-183, 83-183.01, 83-184, 83-184.01, 83-187, 83-917