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LB 51

Adopt the National Crime Prevention and Privacy Compact

109th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Teresa Ibach

Nebraska adopts the National Crime Prevention and Privacy Compact to enable interstate sharing of criminal history for noncriminal-justice checks, with NSP as the state repository.

Approved by Governor on February 25, 2025
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Bill Summary · LB 51

Summary — LB 51 (2025)

Title: Adopt the National Crime Prevention and Privacy Compact
Introduced: January 9, 2025
Sponsor: Sen. Teresa Ibach (primary); co-sponsors Sen. Carolyn Bosn and Sen. Holdcroft
Status: Approved by Governor February 25, 2025

Main purpose

LB 51 ratifies and adopts the National Crime Prevention and Privacy Compact (referenced at 34 U.S.C. § 40316) so Nebraska can participate in the Interstate Identification Index (III) system. The III facilitates authorized interstate exchange of criminal history record information for noncriminal-justice purposes (for example, employment or licensing background checks).

Key provisions

  • Official ratification: The Legislature approves and ratifies the Compact and authorizes the Superintendent of Law Enforcement and Public Safety to execute the Compact on behalf of Nebraska.
  • State repository: The Nebraska State Patrol (NSP) is designated as the state repository for criminal history record information under the Compact and shall perform necessary duties to carry out Compact obligations.
  • Compact officer and administration: The Superintendent (or the superintendent’s designee) is the state’s Compact officer and shall administer the Compact within Nebraska.
  • Rulemaking authority: The Nebraska State Patrol may adopt and promulgate rules and establish procedures for cooperative exchange of criminal history records between Nebraska and other states/the federal government for noncriminal-justice uses.
  • Duration & withdrawal: Ratification remains in force until the Legislature enacts specific legislation to renounce the Compact.
  • Preservation of state law: The bill expressly states the Compact does not alter NSP’s existing obligations under Nebraska law (including the Security, Privacy, and Dissemination of Criminal History Information Act) or change public access to criminal history information under state law.

Who is affected / impact

  • Nebraska State Patrol and the Superintendent of Law Enforcement and Public Safety: primary administrative and operational responsibilities as repository and Compact officer.
  • State agencies and authorized background-check users (e.g., licensing boards, state employers): will be able to obtain more complete interstate criminal-history information for noncriminal-justice purposes through the III.
  • Federal agencies and other states: enables streamlined exchange of Nebraska criminal-history records for authorized noncriminal-justice checks.
  • Operational change noted by proponents: under the Compact Nebraska becomes the primary maintainer/provider of its criminal history records, which proponents indicate would reduce the need to forward subsequent arrest events, dispositions, and expungement notices to the FBI (as previously required).

Legislative and procedural timeline

  • Referred to Judiciary Committee: January 13, 2025
  • Committee hearing: January 22, 2025 (advanced to General File)
  • Advanced through General and Final Reading; Passed Final Reading 48–0–1 on February 21, 2025
  • Presented to Governor: February 21, 2025
  • Approved by Governor: February 25, 2025

Notes

  • The bill implements interstate information-sharing for noncriminal-justice purposes; it does not modify existing state privacy, security, or public-access rules governing criminal history records.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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