This bill amends several sections of Nebraska law regarding the residency requirements for sheriffs and the continuing education requirements for law enforcement officers. Specifically, it allows sheriffs in certain counties without a metropolitan, primary, or first-class city to not be residents of the county when filing for election, but they must reside in the county or an adjoining county while in office. Additionally, the bill clarifies that a sheriff appointed to fill a vacancy can be from any Nebraska county, and it updates the requirements for candidates and appointees to possess a law enforcement officer certificate or diploma.

The bill also revises the continuing education requirements for law enforcement officers, mandating at least 24 hours of training each year, which includes specific topics such as de-escalation, mental health, and anti-bias training. It introduces a new requirement for officers to attend refresher courses every three years on certain critical topics. The bill specifies that these continuing education courses can be delivered in various formats, including seminars and online instruction. The operative dates for the new provisions are set for January 1, 2027, while other sections will take effect on their effective date.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 23-1701, 23-1701.01, 32-604, 81-1414.07