DELINQUENCY ACT CHANGES
What changed between versions
Redefines 'serious youthful offender' to include individuals charged with first or second degree murder, shooting resulting in great bodily harm, and other serious felonies, expanding the previous definition that focused primarily on first degree murder charges.
Redefines 'youthful offender' to include individuals aged 14-18 adjudicated for serious violent felonies, those with three prior felony adjudications within three years, and 14-year-olds adjudicated for first degree murder.
Requires the Children, Youth and Families Department to imprison convicted serious youthful offenders and youthful offenders given adult sentences until age 21, with automatic transfer to corrections facilities upon reaching that age.
Requires validation and reporting on the detention risk assessment instrument, with annual reports to the legislature and updates to the instrument every three years based on collected data.
Requires presentence reports to be prepared by adult probation services prior to sentencing of serious youthful offenders convicted of serious youthful offender offenses.
Adds provisions allowing transfer of serious youthful offenders or youthful offenders to adult corrections facilities before age 21 if they commit violent offenses while in juvenile facilities and pose a substantial danger to other children.
Clarifies that the determination of guilt for serious youthful offenders becomes a conviction for purposes of the Criminal Sentencing Act, while adjudications for delinquent children do not count as convictions for that purpose.
Modifies the Juvenile Community Corrections Act to prioritize services for justice-involved youth, requiring grant programs to be evidence- or research-based and incorporate best practices in risk reduction.
Extends commitment terms for delinquent offenders and youthful offenders subject to juvenile sanctions, with specific provisions for extending supervised release terms if a child absconds from supervision.
