Thanks for ALL you do in advocating for children, Marcie 🩷
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Senate approves wide slate of bills, from retirement changes to local tax authority; votes at a glance The Louisiana Senate completed a busy floor session April 13, adopting a package of bills including retirement return-to-work changes, data- sharing compact amendments, lead-safety reporting and multiple local measures. Several bills passed unanimously; recorded tallies are included below.

The Louisiana State Senate made significant strides on April 13, passing a series of impactful bills that touch on retirement, juvenile justice, and local governance with overwhelming support.

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#LA #RetirementReform #PublicHealth #CitizenPortal #JuvenileJustice #LouisianaSenate

Louisiana committee advances bill making dissemination and possession of AI-generated sexual images of minors a felony The Senate Judiciary C committee advanced House Bill 119 after survivor testimony and debate over juvenile handling; the measure elevates dissemination of AI-created child sexual imagery to a felony, creates an offense for possession of AI-created imagery of a minor, and calls for school training. Lawmakers and advocates discussed protecting children while avoiding overly punitive treatment of juveniles.

Louisiana is taking a bold step to protect children by making the distribution of AI-generated sexual images of minors a felony and emphasizing the need for educational reforms.

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#LA #LouisianaChildren #AIEthics #CitizenPortal #JuvenileJustice #ChildProtection

Senate approves bill expanding short-term custody extensions and creates review task force for high‑needs youth The Tennessee Senate on third reading passed Senate Bill 18-68, which clarifies when judges may extend Department of Children's Services custody up to an additional six months and establishes a task force to study system gaps and report recommendations by February 2027. Supporters said the measure helps judges secure needed treatment; critics warned it risks lengthening confinement without sufficient safeguards.

The Tennessee Senate has passed a controversial bill that could extend juvenile custody by six months, igniting a fierce debate over the protection of vulnerable youth versus potential risks of incarceration.

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#TN #CitizenPortal #JuvenileJustice #TennesseeChildren #DueProcess

Commissioners review juvenile‑detention contract extensions; liability and per‑day rate concerns raised The board was briefed on two detention‑service contract extensions (for two partner counties) that would extend agreements to June 30, 2027 and raise fees; commissioners pressed staff for clarity on per‑day costs, mutual hold‑harmless language, and risk‑pool/legal review before a vote.

Cowlitz County's Commissioners are grappling with crucial contract extensions for juvenile detention services that could reshape financial and legal landscapes until 2027.

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#CowlitzCounty #WA #ContractExtensions #CitizenPortal #JuvenileJustice #LegalLiability

Court of Appeals hears whether children must be allowed at dependency hearings At an April 8, 2026, argument in Division 2 of the Washington Court of Appeals, counsel for the child argued the juvenile court improperly excluded the child SC without a Matthews due-process analysis and urged a published framework; the state urged denial, saying the trial court's protective measures were sufficient.

A groundbreaking case is unfolding in Washington, questioning if children have the constitutional right to attend and participate in their own dependency hearings.

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#WA #ChildRights #CitizenPortal #JuvenileJustice #DueProcess

Judges, attorneys, caseworkers, and CASAs — NYCI 2026 offers tailored tracks ⚖️ Explore sessions on child welfare, trauma-informed care, and cross-system collaboration to better serve young children in court and beyond. #NYCI2026 #JuvenileJustice #Collaboration

Appellate panel weighs when parents 'substantially improve' in In re IDW termination appeal At oral argument, the mother’s appellate counsel said the rebuttable presumption of 'little likelihood' did not arise or was rebutted after treatment and periods of sobriety; the respondent argued the juvenile court properly weighed the parent's long history of relapse and the child's need for speedy permanency. The matter was submitted for decision.

A mother battles for her parental rights as an appellate panel examines the complexities of recovery and the urgent need for her child's permanency.

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#WA #CitizenPortal #JuvenileJustice #ChildWelfare #SubstanceUseRecovery

Kings County DA asks board for funding to hire forensic psychologists for Prop 57 transfer hearings The district attorney asked the board to approve contracts with forensic psychologists to support transfer hearings for five juveniles, citing Prop 57 case law that increases evidentiary and psychological review before transfers to adult court.

Kings County's DA is pushing for funding to hire forensic psychologists to navigate the complexities of transferring juveniles to adult court under Prop 57—what does this mean for justice?

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#KingsCounty #CA #LegalReform #CitizenPortal #JuvenileJustice #KingsCountyJuveniles

In #Maryland, many #juveniles are charged as adults. A new state bill ensures that alleged #underage offenders are prosecuted in the #JuvenileJustice system. But state's attorneys fear the #JuvenileJustice system will be overwhelmed and other opponents decry spiking youth crime.

Join us in calling on Governor Shapiro to close Abraxas facilities and protect kids in Pennsylvania. QUICK SIGNATURE: action.momsrising.org/type/closeab... via @momsrising.org #pennsylvania #juvenilejustice #youth&familyjustice

Join us in calling on Governor Shapiro to close Abraxas facilities and protect kids in Pennsylvania. QUICK SIGNATURE: action.momsrising.org/type/closeab... via @momsrising.org #pennsylvania #juvenilejustice #youth&familyjustice

Charges Against L.A. Juvenile Hall Officers in 'Gladiator Fights' Are Being Dismissed or Reduced Nearly half of the 30 Los Angeles County probation officers indicted last year for allegedly orchestrating or allowing youth fights in juvenile halls are seeing their cases collapse. Prosecutors have dismissed charges against at least ten officers and offered plea deals to four others that will lead to case dismissal after community service. The original indictment followed a 2024 video showing officers at Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall watching a violent altercation, which drew public outrage. Defense attorneys argue many officers were wrongly charged, with some merely following orders or intervening in brief fights that caused minimal harm. Only two officers, Taneha Brooks and Shawn Smyles, remain facing multiple counts of child abuse and conspiracy. Critics say the prosecutions have damaged officers' reputations and finances, while union leaders question whether the attorney general overreacted. The office of Attorney General Rob Bonta stated that adjustments to charges reflect ongoing evidence review. This development raises concerns about the fairness and accuracy of the initial indictments and highlights longstanding issues within L.A. juvenile detention facilities, including how fights among detained youths were managed and incentivized by certain officers.

Charges Against L.A. Juvenile Hall Officers in 'Gladiator Fights' Are Being Dismissed or Reduced

🤖 IA: It's clickbait ⚠️
👥 Usuarios: It's clickbait ⚠️

#juvenilejustice #probationofficers #california

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Join us in calling on Governor Shapiro to close Abraxas facilities and protect kids in Pennsylvania. QUICK SIGNATURE: action.momsrising.org/type/closeab... via @momsrising.org #pennsylvania #juvenilejustice #youth&familyjustice

Committee backs measure to return 17‑year‑olds to adult court for traffic misdemeanors Senate Bill 258, sponsored by Senator Lambert, was reported with amendments after the committee adopted language to restore adult misdemeanor processing for 17‑year‑olds cited for traffic offenses; proponents said juvenile dockets are overloaded while critics raised definitional questions about statutory age ranges.

A new Senate bill aims to shift 17-year-olds back to adult court for traffic misdemeanors, sparking debate over juvenile justice and court congestion in Louisiana.

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#LA #CitizenPortal #JuvenileJustice #LouisianaTraffic #MisdemeanorReform

Committee backs bill to strengthen penalties for attacks on school staff, but prosecutors urge narrow definitions HB 133, carried by Rep. Newell, was reported as amended after testimony from teachers describing serious assaults and from prosecutors who urged narrowing language so enhanced penalties remain provable and constitutional. The bill creates new offenses and juvenile-confinement provisions but sponsors agreed to further work with district attorneys on definitions.

A new bill aims to fortify protections for teachers against classroom assaults, but will it strike the right balance to ensure justice?

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#LA #CitizenPortal #JuvenileJustice #EducationSafety #TeacherProtection #LouisianaSchools

Committee advances juvenile‑commitment bill after witnesses warn extension could worsen placement shortages The committee advanced legislation to create a juvenile commitment review task force and allow courts to extend a youth’s custody by six months following an assault on staff, while advocates warned the extension could strain beds and lack due‑process protections.

Tennessee's committee just moved forward with a controversial juvenile commitment bill that could extend custody for youth who assault staff, raising alarms about worsening placement shortages and due-process protections.

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#TN #CitizenPortal #JuvenileJustice #DueProcess

Judiciary Committee advances five bills in Saturday vote session; key changes to protective orders and juvenile restrictive-housing rules The Judiciary Committee held a Saturday vote session March 21 and approved five bills as amended, including measures on parole commission transparency, judgeships, protective-order timing, third-degree assault, and juvenile restrictive-housing rules. Several amendments clarified reporting, timing and regulatory authority.

The Maryland Judiciary Committee took major steps forward by advancing five significant bills, including key reforms on protective orders and juvenile housing regulations.

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#MD #CitizenPortal #JuvenileJustice #CriminalLaw #TransparencyReform #MarylandJudiciary

The Hanging of Hannah Ocuish A 12-year-old girl was executed in 1786 for murder. Was it justice or racism?

In 1786, a 12-year-old girl was executed for murder. Was it justice or racism?
#HannahOcuish #TrueCrime #JuvenileJustice #NewLondonCT

icecoldcases.com/home/f/the-h...

What part of #FASD2026 are YOU most excited about?
Real life insights from adolescents & adults with #FASD

Register Today: fasdunited.org/fasd2026/

#FASD2026 #PublicHealth #DisabilityAdvocacy #BehavioralHealth #HealthEquity #JuvenileJustice #Neurodiversity #GlobalHealth

Senate strips youth‑facility reconfiguration from HHS package after bipartisan safety concerns Lawmakers removed a contentious plan to reassign youth across juvenile and adult correctional facilities from the Health & Human Services omnibus (LB867) after senators raised concerns about moving young people into adult or non‑specialized facilities and potential education, treatment and safety disruptions.

Senators united to strip controversial youth facility reconfiguration from the HHS package, prioritizing safety and continuity in juvenile treatment over rapid changes.

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#NE #SafetyInitiatives #CitizenPortal #JuvenileJustice #EducationalContinuity

Could school and therapy keep Chicago teens out of detention — and out of trouble? A new program by the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office and Chicago Public Schools leans on regular school attendance and cognitive-behavioral therapy to keep West Side teens charged with serious crimes out of pre-trial detention.

A new Chicago pilot aims to keep West Side teens charged with serious crimes in school & out of pretrial detention — requiring school attendance and participation in therapy/mentoring. Antwan Turpeau and his team will evaluate the program. Learn more: https://tinyurl.com/3yr8wdj5
#JuvenileJustice

Committee tables bill creating independent Office of the Child Advocate after agency concerns The committee heard extensive testimony on LD 1893 to convert the child-welfare ombudsman into an independent Office of the Child Advocate with expanded duties; concerns from the Department of Corrections and DHHS about juvenile interview authority, access to records, and DOC age references led the committee to table the bill for redrafting and interagency coordination.

Maine's Health and Human Services Committee is rethinking the future of child welfare with a proposed independent Office of the Child Advocate, but concerns over juvenile protections have put the bill on hold.

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#ME #CitizenPortal #JuvenileJustice #ChildWelfare #MaineChildren

Committee advances bill raising aggravated animal-cruelty from class E to class D SB 14-75, sponsored by Senator Taylor, would increase the felony class for aggravated animal cruelty and add that offense to blended-sentencing considerations for juveniles; the committee advanced the bill to finance after debate on juvenile services.

Tennessee's SB 14-75 is set to elevate the penalties for aggravated animal cruelty, targeting juveniles and sparking a heated debate about mental health services versus incarceration.

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#TN #CitizenPortal #JuvenileJustice #TennesseeAnimalWelfare #AnimalCruelty

Commission rejects proposal to alter Robbery 1 age cutoff for Option B eligibility A proposal to ‘‘square the ages’’ so 15‑year‑olds convicted of Robbery 1 would be eligible for Option B was moved and defeated March 13 after members expressed concern about Robbery 1’s varied seriousness; the motion failed amid 5 recorded yes votes and multiple abstentions.

A proposal to change age eligibility for Robbery 1 convictions faced fierce debate, revealing deep concerns over public safety and the seriousness of offenses.

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#WA #CitizenPortal #JuvenileJustice #StatutoryReform #PublicSafety

Court of Appeals hears accelerated review of guardianship order amid dispute over services for mother with disabilities The Washington Court of Appeals (Division 2) heard argument March 11, 2026, in an accelerated review of guardianship case no. 61386-7, focusing on whether the Department of Children, Youth, and Families adequately tailored court-ordered services to accommodate a mother’s anxiety and language disorders. The panel said it will issue a written ruling.

A mother with disabilities is fighting for her rights in a contentious guardianship case, as the court reviews whether the Department of Children, Youth, and Families truly provided the necessary support she needed.

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#WA #DisabilityAccommodation #CitizenPortal #JuvenileJustice

Join us in calling on Governor Shapiro to close Abraxas facilities and protect kids in Pennsylvania. QUICK SIGNATURE: action.momsrising.org/type/closeab... via @momsrising.org #pennsylvania #juvenilejustice #youth&familyjustice

Cheatham County authorizes mayor’s signatures on health, juvenile-detention and telecom agreements; approves resolution for Vanderbilt bonds Commissioners authorized the mayor to sign agreements with the Tennessee Department of Health and Bedford County Juvenile Detention Center, approved a first amendment to a Securus Technologies services agreement, and adopted a resolution consenting to issuance of up to $1.5 billion in bonds by Nashville’s Health and Educational Facilities Board, including about $2 million for a Cheatham County project.

Cheatham County is making significant moves by approving vital agreements for public health and juvenile services, while also paving the way for a $1.5 billion bond issuance that could enhance local facilities!

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#CheathamCounty #TN #PublicHealth #CitizenPortal #JuvenileJustice