LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A bill that would make Nebraska grand juries report their proceedings to the public will be debated by the full Legislature.
An eight-member committee unanimously advanced the measure by Sen. Ernie Chambers of Omaha on Tuesday.
Grand juries are called to investigate deaths of a person who is being apprehended or in custody. Currently, if that jury does not produce an indictment, the public receives no explanation. Chambers says that secrecy fuels distrust of law enforcement.
Chambers’ measure would require a grand jury that does not produce an indictment to release transcripts of their deliberations and create a public report with the prosecuting attorney explaining their rationale. Douglas and Lancaster County prosecutors have endorsed the bill.