Senate advances measure to modernize female inmate supervision while keeping same‑gender search protections

The Legislature advanced LB1195, a bill revising a century-old Nebraska statute that required female inmates in county jails be supervised 24 hours a day by female correctional staff. Sponsor Senator Storey said the change updates an operationally impractical rule for small counties, while retaining meaningful protections through existing jail standards and a committee amendment (AM2358).

Storey told colleagues the original law dates to 1903 and imposes staffing burdens on small counties: "A rural county housing one or maybe two female inmates ... must still maintain a female staff coverage around the clock, 24 a day, 7 days a week." The bill will permit male correctional officers to perform routine supervisory duties such as meals distribution, medication and cell checks while preserving same‑gender requirements in counties that include metropolitan or primary class cities (Senator Storey).

Senators probed whether the bill would harmonize with Nebraska jail standards and administrative rules governing strip and cavity searches. Senator Conrad asked if the provisions would require updates in administrative rules and whether safeguards were sufficient to prevent impermissible searches; sponsors and committee members said they had worked closely with the jail standards board and that the amendment codifies compliance with those rules (Senator Conrad; Senator Storer).

AM2358 was adopted and the full bill advanced to E & R initial (adoption recorded 38 ayes for the amendment; advancement recorded 39 ayes). Several senators indicated they would review operational details between general and select file to ensure dignity and safety protections remain robust.

Next steps: LB1195 goes to select file for further review; senators asked that jail standards and administrative codes be consulted and, if necessary, updated to ensure consistent application.