Juvenile justice reform advances

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska lawmakers have given initial approval to a wide-ranging measure designed to ease pressure on the juvenile-court system, keep kids in school and help them get jobs once they're out.

The bill (LB800) easily passed a first-round vote on Monday.

Some nonviolent juvenile offenders would no longer have to spend time in court-ordered detention.

Also, school districts would be required to notify county attorneys when students had been absent for more than 20 days, and more statewide reporting on truancy could lead to recommendations on how to stop it.

Students who had been skipping school could have their driver's licenses suspended, and parents could be fined up to $500 or be ordered to perform community service.

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