This bill amends section 81-1403 of the Reissue Revised Statutes of Nebraska to enhance the collaboration between law enforcement and Adult Protective Services (APS) social workers in responding to incidents involving individuals with mental health concerns. It introduces definitions for key terms such as "APS social worker," "crisis intervention," and "trauma-informed care," and mandates that APS social workers accompany law enforcement officers during such calls, provided it is safe to do so. The Department of Health and Human Services is tasked with developing a program to approve social workers as APS social workers, ensuring they receive appropriate training in crisis intervention and related areas.

Additionally, the bill requires law enforcement agencies to implement policies for dispatching APS social workers and to screen calls for mental health issues. It establishes a "Mental Health Priority" designation for relevant calls and outlines the responsibilities of law enforcement officers and APS social workers during these interactions. The Nebraska Commission on Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice is given the authority to set minimum standards for agency policies and to review compliance, with sanctions for agencies that fail to adhere to the new requirements. Notably, the bill includes a provision for the discipline of law enforcement officers who do not comply with the new regulations, specifically adding a clause for willful failure to comply with the act.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 81-1403