LINCOLN, Neb. – On Tuesday, Gov. Jim Pillen signed LB 519 into law, allowing people in Nebraska’s prisons to request independent confirmation testing when they are accused of having contraband drugs. This follows a 2024 report from Nebraska’s inspector general for corrections that raised concerns about the reliability of the prison system’s field drug tests given the severe consequences of a positive drugtest.
State Sens. Margo Juarez and Terrell McKinney introduced LB 519. The ACLU of Nebraska was the only organization to testify in support of LB 519 at the committee hearing and no one testified against it. The bill passed on Final Reading without a single vote in opposition.
ACLU of Nebraska Policy Fellow Jason Witmer made this statement on the new law:
“The outcome of a drug test can literally mean the difference between freedom and more time in prison, so we are glad to see this safeguard now in state law,” Witmer said. “Senators from across the political spectrum supported this change because they understand no one should face lasting consequences based on a test that could be providing inaccurate results. This change will help make sure that disciplinary actions regarding drug test outcomes are only based on reliable and verified results, adding much-needed fairness and due process.”
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