Legislative Bill 44 seeks to establish the Juvenile Probation Administration Act, which will transfer juvenile probation functions from the Office of Probation Administration in the judicial branch to a newly created Juvenile Probation Agency within the executive branch. The bill outlines the agency's structure, including the appointment of a Juvenile Probation Administrator by the Governor, who will oversee operations and establish policies in consultation with the Supreme Court. It mandates the creation of juvenile probation districts and the appointment of juvenile probation officers, while also emphasizing community involvement through volunteer programs. The bill repeals several terminated entities and harmonizes existing laws to align with the new juvenile probation structure, aiming for a more efficient system for managing juvenile offenders.

Additionally, the bill introduces significant changes to the roles and responsibilities of juvenile probation services, including the establishment of performance metrics for probation officers and the creation of two new cash funds to support local probation services. It also outlines financial responsibilities related to juvenile probation, such as covering salaries and costs for drug testing. The bill amends various sections of the Nebraska Revised Statutes to clarify definitions and responsibilities, including the transition of employees from the Office of Probation Administration to the Juvenile Probation Agency. Overall, the legislation aims to enhance the effectiveness of juvenile supervision and support services while ensuring a streamlined probation process.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 29-2260.01, 29-2260.02, 29-2270, 29-2271, 29-2272, 29-2273, 25-2407, 28-726, 29-2246, 29-2248, 29-2252.01, 29-2253, 29-2257, 29-2258, 29-2292, 29-4803, 43-247.03, 43-250, 43-254, 43-258, 43-260, 43-260.01, 43-281, 43-286, 43-286.01, 43-290.01, 43-297.01, 43-412, 43-425, 43-1302, 43-1303, 43-1304, 43-1309, 43-1311.03, 43-1503, 43-2404.01, 43-2404.02, 43-2411, 43-2412, 43-4101, 43-4102, 43-4203, 43-4206, 43-4304, 43-4314, 43-4316, 43-4318, 43-4319, 43-4320, 43-4321, 43-4324, 43-4326, 43-4327, 43-4328, 43-4331, 43-4703, 50-1203, 68-1732, 79-303.01, 79-2121, 81-1401, 81-1427, 83-1216