Increased transparency for death penalty process approved

Lawmakers passed a bill Aug. 13 to increase transparency in the state’s execution protocol.

LB238, introduced by Lincoln Sen. Patty Pansing Brooks, requires the state Department of Correctional Services to allow all execution witnesses to view the process continually from the moment the inmate enters the execution chamber until the moment he or she is pronounced dead, without any impediment to their line of sight.

Additionally, it allows any person performing an execution to wear a mask or otherwise conceal their personal identity.

The bill passed on a 27-10 vote.