Leahy reintroduces Juvenile Justice Reauthorization Bill but with some few revisions.

Leahy Introduces Juvenile Justice Reauthorization Bill

WASHINGTON (Tuesday, March 24, 2009) – Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) today introduced legislation to reauthorize expiring programs in the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act (JJDPA). The Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Reauthorization Act will authorize key programs designed to protect children and reduce juvenile crime.

Leahy introduced legislation to reauthorize the JJDPA in the last Congress after months of research and debate, and the legislation was reported by the Judiciary Committee, which Leahy chairs, in September 2008. The Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Reauthorization Act will increase federal funding of prevention, intervention and treatment programs designed to reduce the incidence of juvenile crime. The reauthorization legislation aims to balance providing federal support and guidance to state programs, and respecting the individual criminal justice policies of states.

A key goal of the JJDPA is to help reduce crime and recidivism among youths. The legislation urges states to make improvements to juvenile justice systems, and provides common sense guidelines, procedural protections and restrictions on the pretrial detention of juveniles in adult jails and the detention of children who commit status offenses like truancy.

Leahy said, “The basic goals of the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act include keeping our communities safe by reducing juvenile crime and advancing programs and policies that keep children out of the criminal justice system. Many prominent Vermont representatives of law enforcement, the juvenile justice system, and prevention-oriented non-profits have spoken to me in support of this reauthorization. This bill pushes forward new ways to help children move out of the criminal justice system, return to school, and become responsible, hard-working members of our communities. I hope all Senators will join us in supporting this important legislation.”


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But here is some revisions of the bill to the Administrator's role:

Section 203. Annual Report. This section modifies several existing reporting requirements in the OJJDP Administrator’s annual report, including requiring data on conditions of confinement (isolation and restraints), release from custody, status offenders and the number of pregnant juveniles.

This section also requires that the Administrator include a description of the criteria used to determine what programs qualify as evidence based and promising programs under JJDPA titles II and V, and a comprehensive list of those programs that have been determined to meet the criteria, as well as a description of funding provided to Indian Tribes under this Act.

Section 204. Allocation of Funds. This section clarifies that funds should be allocated to States under Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act (JJDPA) based on the most recent census data available.

This section authorizes the reinvestment of funds withheld due to noncompliance with one or more of the core requirements as an “incentive grant” aimed at helping States to regain compliance. It also requires that the Administrator provide support and technical assistance to the States in achieving and maintaining compliance with the Act.

Section 206. Authority to Make Grants. This section amends the Administrator’s grant-making authority to add truancy prevention and reduction activities to the list of after-school programs that provide at-risk juveniles and juveniles in the system with a range of age-appropriate activities. Also added to the list are projects that support the establishment of partnerships between a State and a university, institution of higher education, or research center designed to improve the recruitment, selection, training and retention of professional personnel.