This bill amends the Nebraska Revised Statutes to enhance protections for public safety officers and health care professionals by redefining assault offenses and establishing new penalties. It introduces the term "court operations officer" and broadens the definition of "public safety officer," replacing previous references to specific roles such as emergency responders and certain employees. The bill establishes varying degrees of felony charges for assaults against these individuals, with specific penalties for first, second, and third-degree assaults. Additionally, it mandates that hospitals and health clinics display warnings about the seriousness of assaulting health care professionals, emphasizing the potential for felony charges.

Moreover, the bill introduces the offense of unlawful membership recruitment into criminal organizations, classified as a Class IV felony, and updates definitions related to the Public Protection Act. It also amends the sentencing provisions for habitual criminals, imposing a mandatory minimum sentence of twenty-five years for those convicted of serious felonies, including murder and assault. The bill repeals section 28-931.01 and harmonizes various provisions across the statutes to streamline legal definitions and enhance the protection of public safety officers and health care professionals from assault.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 28-931.01, 28-115, 28-929.01, 28-929, 28-930, 28-931, 28-934, 28-929.02, 28-1351, 28-1354, 29-2221, 84-941.01