This legislative 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 the minimum wage for their labor. It introduces new definitions for terms such as "administrator," "inmate," and "jail," and requires jail administrators to establish deposit accounts for inmates earning wages. The bill also stipulates that inmate employment should not displace existing workers and assigns the Jail Standards Board the responsibility of creating rules regarding labor conditions and compensation rates. Additionally, it emphasizes the protection of inmates' rights and outlines the process for collecting restitution from their wages.

Moreover, the bill repeals outdated provisions related to the establishment of industries and farms by the Department of Correctional Services and harmonizes various legal provisions to ensure consistency in the treatment of inmate labor. It mandates compliance with federal workplace safety laws and requires annual reporting on restitution collection from inmate wages. Key changes include the establishment of deposit accounts for committed offenders earning wages and ensuring they receive compensation equal to or greater than the minimum wage as required by the Wage and Hour Act. Overall, the bill aims to modernize the treatment of inmate labor in Nebraska, ensuring fair compensation and improved working conditions while streamlining the legal framework governing the correction of offenders.

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