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LB 585

Change provisions relating to distribution of aid under the Community-based Juvenile Services Aid Program

109th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Ashlei Spivey

LB 585 modernizes CJSA funding to boost community-based prevention, improve data/evaluation, and reserve 10% for data work and prevention grants, with local match up to 40%.

Title printed. Carryover bill
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Bill Summary · LB 585

LB 585 — Summary

Purpose and intent
- LB 585 updates the Community-based Juvenile Services Aid (CJSA) to modernize funding and governance, with a focus on prevention and community-based supports.
- The bill aims to:
- Expand access to CJSA funds for community-based organizations (CBOs) implementing preventive juvenile justice initiatives.
- Clarify and revise how funds are allocated and how programs are evaluated.
- Strengthen data collection and evaluation to measure outcomes and inform funding decisions.

Key provisions and changes (highlights)
- Creation and ongoing use of CJSA funds
- The CJSA remains a distinct budget program within the Commission to fund community-based services for juveniles who interact with the juvenile justice system.
- Funds come from federal act participation, General Funds, and other compatible sources.

  • Data, evaluation, and accountability

    • Ten percent of the annual General Fund CJSA appropriation (excluding admin funds) must be set aside for developing and maintaining a common data set and evaluation framework.
    • The common data set will:
    • Serve as the primary data source for evaluating interventions funded by CJSA.
    • Be used to assess recidivism and other outcomes, with cooperation among the Commission, Office of Probation Administration, diversion programs, law enforcement, courts, and other partners.
    • Involve UNO’s Juvenile Justice Institute to assist with data collection, reporting, and ensuring consistent definitions and data variables.
    • Be kept confidential; records related to the common data set are not public records under confidentiality provisions.
    • Distribution of the ten percent allocation:
    • In 2015-16: 7% to the Commission for the data set; 3% to UNO, JJI, for evaluation.
    • In 2016-17: 6% to the Commission; 4% to UNO, JJI.
    • From 2017-18 onward: 5% to the Commission; 5% to UNO, JJI.
    • The remaining 90% of CJSA General Fund appropriations are allocated according to a formula set by rules that consider county population and the number of residents aged 18 and over who come into contact with the juvenile justice system, with up to a 40% local match obligation from counties or tribes.

  • Targeted funding for prevention in high-need areas

    • Ten percent of CJSA General Fund funds (excluding admin funds) are set aside for grants to community-based organizations in qualified census tracts (per 26 U.S.C. 42(d)(5)(B)(ii)(I)) with budgets no greater than $1 million, focusing on preemptive/ preventative work to prevent juvenile crime before involvement with the juvenile justice system.

  • Allocation criteria and prioritization

    • Funds allocated to recipients must prioritize programs and services that divert youth from the juvenile justice system, reduce confinement or placements, and support prevention, diversion, family services, and evidence-based practices.
    • Distribution considers: program impact on reducing detentions or placements, organization budget, program location (especially in qualified census tracts), population demographics served, and other factors.
    • Eligible uses of funds include screening, assessment, prevention/intervention programs, pilot evaluations, personnel aligned with evidence-based practices, contracted services, preexisting evidence-based programs, and related supports (transportation, coordination, and truancy services).
    • Funds may be used one time to convert a detention facility for use as an alternative to detention or for other defined purposes.

Who is affected
- CJSA recipient organizations (including community-based organizations serving juveniles or families) and local counties/tribes that may be asked to provide up to a 40% local match.
- The University of Nebraska at Omaha, Juvenile Justice Institute (as evaluator and data partner).
- Local governments, law enforcement, courts, probation, and other juvenile justice stakeholders participating in data collection and program evaluation.

Procedural and timeline notes
- Introduced: January 22, 2025.
- Committee: Judiciary (Chair: Senator Carolyn Bosn).
- Hearing date: February 19, 2025.
- The bill seeks to amend Section 43-2404.02, and repeal the original section, implementing changes effective for future CJSA funding cycles contingent on statutory passage.

Overall impact
- Aims to broaden preventive, community-based approaches in juvenile justice.
- Strengthens data-driven evaluation and accountability.
- Introduces targeted set-asides to support prevention and reduce involvement in the formal system.
- Tightens and clarifies funding formulas, match requirements, and program priorities.

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

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