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." The bill mandates that APS social workers accompany law enforcement officers during such calls, emphasizing the use of de-escalation techniques and trauma-informed approaches to reduce potential harm. Additionally, law enforcement agencies are required to implement screening procedures for calls involving individuals with mental health issues and to flag these as "Mental Health Priority" calls.

Furthermore, the bill establishes responsibilities for the Department of Health and Human Services and the Nebraska Commission on Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice in developing training programs for APS social workers and ensuring compliance with the new policies. It includes provisions for sanctions against law enforcement agencies that fail to comply with the requirements, such as ineligibility for grants or funding. The bill also adds a new disciplinary measure for law enforcement officers who do not adhere to the mandated protocols, specifically the willful failure to comply with the new section regarding the presence of APS social workers during mental health-related calls. The original section 81-1403 is repealed as part of this legislative update.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 81-1403