HB0262S02 | Juvenile Delinquency Amendments

Description
General Description: 

This bill amends provisions relating to juvenile delinquency.

Bill Details
Bill Number: 
HB0262S02
Year: 
2020
Status: 
Governor Signed
Last Action: 
Mar 30, 2020
Sponsor
Representative
Craig Hall
Republican - District 33
Fiscal Note
Fiscal Note Amount: 
$0
None
View Fiscal Note
Utah PTA Response
Utah PTA Position
Support
Impact on Children: 

This would prohibit the prosecution of children who are 12 years of age or younger. Under the bill, the state will retain its ability to detain children involved in more serious crimes that are violent or involve sexual assault, for example. But for other lower-level crimes, children would be kept out of the court system, and in their homes. This way, the state can address the problems with other mechanisms such as therapy, specialized education, or health services.

Commission: 
Family Life
Utah PTA Public Policy Program
Utah PTA Legislative Priorities: 

7. Support legislation, funding, and community partnerships that provide programs and resources to strengthen families and children’s social and emotional well being through affordable housing, homelessness initiatives, education, and parenting skills, and juvenile justice reforms.

National PTA and Utah PTA Position Statements: 

Prohibit youth who are charged with a serious crime from being tried in the adult court system unless there has been an opportunity for a judicial hearing and appeal.

National PTA Public Policy Agenda

Every child should have the opportunity to reach their full potential—even if they make a mistake while growing up. Second chances are important as children learn and grow into adulthood. However, for far too many youth, one mistake may drastically change their futures. This is why PTA has long advocated for family and community-based alternatives to children entering the juvenile justice system and is pleased that Congress reauthorized the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act (JJDPA) in 2018.

Links
National PTA Public Policy
National Position Child Safety and Protection
Utah PTA Legislative Priorities 2019-2020