LINCOLN- Last month, Nebraska lawmakers voted 44-0 to approve LB253, a bill to create a new veteran justice program beginning in 2025 that would establish evidence-based treatment and case plans for veterans whose military-related conditions contributed to criminal offenses.

Former U.S. Senator and Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel, said the program could help restore justice-impacted veterans to "hero status." Sens. Wayne and Brewer, the latter of whom served in the military for 36 years, led the bill through the Legislature. Brewer described the legislation as a tool for supporting combat-impacted veterans who made mistakes upon returning home.

"Many times that exposure causes issues that they would not normally have in their lives," said Brewer, "Therefore, that's why their treatment should be uniquely different." According to data from the Council on Criminal Justice, roughly one in three veterans reports being arrested or booked in jail at least once.

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