Children & the Law Blog

As reported by the Child Welfare League of America, a bill has been introduced to reauthorize the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act of 1974. The law is the largest source of federal funding for the improvement of states’ juvenile systems. As summarized on the Building Blocks for Youth website, Congress placed four stipulations on states’ receipt of federal funding: the de-institutionalization of Status Offenders (with some exceptions), the removal of juveniles from adult jails (unless convicted in adult court for a felony offense and/or immediately before or after a court hearing), the prohibition of “sight and sound” contact of juveniles placed in adult jail under the previous exceptions, and the assessment of the issue of disproportionate confinement of minority juveniles.

On June 18, Senators Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Arlen Specter (R-PA), and Herbert Kohl (D-WI) introduced legislation to reauthorize the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act (JJDPA), S. 3155. This much anticipated bill would reform and strengthen juvenile justice in a number of areas, including in cases of youth who come in contact with law enforcement and who have histories of abuse or neglect.

The bill urges states to make key improvements to juvenile justice systems, would prioritize and fund mental health and drug treatment for juvenile offenders, and encourages states to further address the overrepresentation of minorities in the juvenile justice system. The legislation supports the efforts of states that attempt to comply with the core requirements of JJDPA by making funds available through improvement grants to help bring states into compliance with the law.

The Senate Judiciary Committee is expected to take up this legislation soon after the July 4 break. When a companion bill will be introduced in the House is not clear.