Penalty for contraband in detention facilities vetoed

On Feb. 13, the governor vetoed a bill passed by the Legislature that would create an offense for bringing prohibited items into a detention facility.

LB415, introduced by Cortland Sen. Norm Wallman, would make it a Class I misdemeanor to bring prohibited items into a detention facility, provide them to an inmate or for an inmate to possess them.

In his veto message, Gov. Dave Heineman wrote that the introducer of the bill seeks additional time to further review the issue, though the governor said he supports the intent of the bill.

The Legislature had passed the bill on a 45-0 vote Feb 7. Wallman has not yet filed any motion on the bill.