House Judiciary hears bill to curb automatic adult charging for youth, sponsor urges cautious compromise Sen. Will Smith presented SB323 to narrow offenses that automatically start youths in the adult system, citing Maryland's JJDPA noncompliance, racial disparities and public‑safety costs. Lawmakers pressed on retained exceptions for 14–15‑year‑olds and implementation impacts on juvenile services.

Sen. Will Smith's groundbreaking bill aims to end the automatic adult charging of juveniles in Maryland, tackling racial disparities and costly outcomes in the justice system.

Read the full story

#MD #YouthReform #CitizenPortal #PublicSafety #MarylandJuvenileJustice #RacialDisparities

Sensing Guideline Commission approves expanding Option B eligibility to include some Assault II cases for youth aged 14 and older On March 13, 2026, the Sensing Guideline Commission voted to adopt a juvenile committee recommendation to allow judges discretion to apply Option B to Assault II adjudications for youth aged 14 or older; the motion passed 7–3 with 6 abstentions after lengthy debate over discretion, court enforceability and available services.

The Sensing Guideline Commission has taken a bold step by allowing judges to consider community supervision for youth aged 14 and older facing Assault II charges—redefining justice for our young offenders.

Learn more here!

#WA #YouthReform #JudicialDiscretion #CitizenPortal #CommunitySafety

Senate panel advances juvenile‑commitment task force bill while debating a new six‑month extension for assaults on staff The Senate Judiciary Committee advanced an administration bill to create a juvenile commitment review task force and added a narrow six‑month extension for delinquent youth who assault residential‑placement staff; advocates warned the extension risks unintended harm and due‑process gaps while the Department of Children’s Services said the change targets a narrow population.

Tennessee's Senate Judiciary Committee just approved a controversial bill that could extend juvenile commitments for assaults on staff, sparking fierce debate over potential risks and due-process concerns.

Read the full story

#TN #YouthReform #DueProcess #CitizenPortal #ChildWelfare

House passes juvenile‑justice reform amid split floor debate over prosecutorial role and data sharing House Bill 2498, aimed at juvenile-justice changes including referral and certification procedures and statewide data sharing, passed after extended debate about whether the bill shifts power toward prosecutors and risks disparate impacts on youth and small treatment facilities.

House Bill 2498 has sparked heated debate in Missouri, with supporters claiming it strengthens juvenile justice while opponents warn it risks politicizing the system and undermining youth-focused care.

Click to read more!

#MO #YouthReform #MissouriJuvenileJustice #CitizenPortal #CrimePrevention

Committee advances Mandy Ballenger Act to study raising the juvenile age; stakeholders voice support and concerns The committee voted to pass HB 1061 (the Mandy Ballenger Act), creating an organizational committee to study implementation of raising the juvenile age; law‑enforcement groups warned of risks, while prosecutors, juvenile justice and child‑advocacy organizations urged careful, well‑funded planning.

The House Judiciary Juvenile Committee has taken a significant step forward by advancing the Mandy Ballenger Act, aiming to reshape Georgia's juvenile justice system and raise the age for adult charges.

Learn more here!

#GA #YouthReform #CivicAccountability #CitizenPortal #GeorgiaJuvenileJustice

Senate committee hears broad support and sharp questions for bill to end some automatic adult charging of youth Senate Bill 323 would remove 11 offenses from Marylands automatic adult-charging list and require early judicial review on a case-by-case basis; proponents say it will reduce racial disparities, delays and violations of federal juvenile separation rules, while prosecutors and some local officials warned of capacity and implementation concerns.

A new bill in Maryland aims to reshape the juvenile justice system by removing certain offenses from the automatic adult-charging list, sparking a heated debate over public safety and fairness.

Click to read more!

#MD #YouthReform #CitizenPortal #PublicSafety #MarylandJuvenileJustice

TACIR draft urges state support for West Tennessee juvenile detention beds and stronger oversight of local facilities A TACIR draft report finds planned DCS construction likely meets adjudication capacity statewide but recommends state help fund a new pre‑adjudication juvenile detention center in West Tennessee, licensing and financial penalties for locally operated detention centers, and more funding for community‑based alternatives and risk assessment tools.

A recent TACIR draft report reveals a critical shortage of pre-adjudication juvenile detention beds in West Tennessee, urging state support and stronger oversight to protect our youth.

Click to read more!

#TN #CommunitySupport #YouthReform #JuvenileDetention #TennesseeJuvenileJustice

Massachusetts House Bill 4417 Expands Juvenile Justice Policy and Data Board Membership Legislation updates juvenile justice policy board to include 23 members and new appointees

Massachusetts is shaking up its juvenile justice system with a new bill that expands the policy board to 23 members, paving the way for fresh perspectives and reforms.

Learn more here!

#MA #CitizenPortal #CommunityInvolvement #YouthReform #PolicyUpdates

Taliban’s Culture Minister: “Youth Must Be Reformed” Khairullah Khairkhwa, the Taliban’s Minister of Information and Culture, has reiterated the need to "reform" the thoughts of Afghan youth during a meeting with the Indonesian chargé d'affaires in Kabul.

Taliban’s culture minister calls for the "reform" of Afghan youth, raising concerns about ideological brainwashing. 🕌🇦🇫 #Taliban #Afghanistan #YouthReform #KokchaNews

Alabama lawmakers revise juvenile delinquency definitions in HB10 amendment Bill excludes certain nonfelony offenses from juvenile delinquent act classifications

Alabama lawmakers are shaking up juvenile justice by redefining what counts as delinquent behavior, leaving some nonfelony offenses off the list entirely!

Click to read more!

#AL #PublicPolicy #YouthReform

Louisiana Senate amends juvenile justice district to include Lafourche Parish Legislation expands River Parishes Juvenile Justice District jurisdiction and updates commission governance

Louisiana's Senate just passed groundbreaking legislation that expands the River Parishes Juvenile Justice District, now including Lafourche Parish and aiming for better governance!

Click to read more!

#LA #CitizenPortal #LouisianaJuvenileJustice #YouthReform #CommunitySafety #LegalAccountability

Louisiana Senate requests juvenile justice report on facility complaints by February 2026 Senate urges juvenile justice office to report on facility complaints and litigation by 2026

The Louisiana Senate is demanding a comprehensive report on juvenile facility complaints and litigation by 2026—what's the story behind this urgent call to action?

Click to read more!

#LA #CitizenPortal #FacilityConcerns #LouisianaJuvenileJustice #YouthReform #LegalAccountability

Louisiana Senate reviews juvenile justice facility complaints and litigation Senate analyzes safety and conditions of juvenile justice facilities statewide

The Louisiana Senate is diving deep into the troubling safety and conditions of juvenile justice facilities—what shocking revelations will they uncover?

Read the full story!

#LA #CitizenPortal #PublicSafety #JusticeSystem #LouisianaJuvenileJustice #YouthReform

Pennsylvania House Bill 1385 targets juvenile justice reforms General Assembly introduces new juvenile reform legislation to improve definitions and dispositions

Pennsylvania's General Assembly is taking a bold step forward with House Bill 1385, aimed at transforming juvenile justice for a brighter future.

Click to read more!

#PA #CitizenPortal #LegalReform #YouthReform #SocialJustice #PennsylvaniaJuvenileJustice

River Parishes Commission implements special court costs for juvenile and adult offenders Parishes enforce special costs to fund River Parishes Juvenile Justice Commission operations

River Parishes are introducing special court costs aimed at enhancing the operations of the Juvenile Justice Commission—find out how this impacts offenders and the community!

Learn more here

#LA #YouthReform #CommunityFunding #LouisianaJuvenileJustice #CriminalJustice #CitizenPortal

Louisiana House passes HB 93 granting Acadiana Juvenile Justice District tax authority House Bill 93 authorizes Acadiana Juvenile Justice District to impose a 1% sales tax.

Louisiana's House just passed HB 93, paving the way for the Acadiana Juvenile Justice District to implement a new 1% sales tax—what does this mean for local communities?

Click to read more!

#LA #YouthReform #CommunityFunding #LouisianaJuvenileJustice #CitizenPortal #TaxationPolicy

Colorado General Assembly approves $1.98M for juvenile detention bed increase Lawmakers allocate funds and adjust juvenile detention bed caps for upcoming fiscal years.

Colorado lawmakers have approved a significant $1.98M boost to expand juvenile detention facilities, paving the way for critical reforms in youth justice.

Click to read more!

#CO #YouthReform #FundingAllocation #CriminalJustice #CitizenPortal

Arlington officials address community concerns and youth detention facility issues Arlington leaders commit to support for diverse communities and reform juvenile detention policies.

Arlington County Board members are taking bold steps to create a more inclusive community, addressing pressing issues from youth detention to support for marginalized groups.

Learn more here!

#ArlingtonCounty #VA #YouthReform #CommunitySupport #InclusivityInitiatives #CitizenPortal

Sheriff Hansen urges urgent reforms for high risk youth in Nebraska's juvenile justice system Sheriff Hansen highlights need for secure placements and tailored interventions for high risk youth

Sheriff Hansen is sounding the alarm on Nebraska's juvenile justice system, revealing how reforms meant for low-risk youth are failing high-risk kids and putting communities at risk.

Click to read more!

#NE #PublicSafety #CommunitySupport #YouthReform #CitizenPortal

State legislators debate raising delinquency age threshold from 10 to 12 Legislators question why delinquency threshold remains at 10 instead of aligning with serious crimes at 14.

Vermont lawmakers are pushing to raise the age for juvenile delinquency proceedings from 10 to 12, questioning why young kids face harsher penalties than older teens for serious crimes.

Click to read more!

#VT #CriminalLaw #VermontJuvenileJustice #LegalEquity #YouthReform #CitizenPortal