LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A host of new laws are taking effect in Nebraska, leading to changes ranging from costlier marriage licenses to expanded opportunities for nonviolent prisoners to be released for parole and probation.
A total of 181 laws took effect Sunday, three months after the Legislature adjourned.
The marriage license change means fees will increase from $15 to $25.
Another new law will increase the use of probation for nonviolent offenders and require supervised release for some felony offenders in an effort to reduce prison overcrowding.
Other laws give nurse practitioners more independence and offer new protections to Native American children at risk of being removed from their homes.
Sunday would have marked the end of Nebraska's death penalty, but a repeal effort is likely on hold until November 2016.
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