This bill amends section 43-2404.02 of the Revised Statutes Cumulative Supplement, 2024, to enhance the Community-based Juvenile Services Aid Program by providing for the distribution of state aid to community-based organizations. A significant change includes the allocation of ten percent of the annual General Fund appropriation for the development of a common data set and evaluation of the program's effectiveness. Additionally, the bill introduces a new provision that allows for grants to community-based organizations located in qualified census tracts, which have an annual budget of no more than one million dollars, aimed at preventing juvenile crime before involvement with the criminal justice system.

The bill also outlines the criteria for fund distribution, emphasizing the importance of programs that divert juveniles from the justice system and reduce detention populations. It mandates that aid recipients prioritize evidence-based practices and report on their outcomes, including demographic data and program success rates. Furthermore, the University of Nebraska at Omaha, Juvenile Justice Institute, is tasked with assisting in the development of evaluation measurements and logic models for community-based organizations receiving funds. The original section 43-2404.02 is repealed, consolidating the changes into a more comprehensive framework for juvenile services aid.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 43-2404.02