PRINTER'S NO. 2725
No. 241 Session of 1995
INTRODUCED BY BLAUM, OCTOBER 30, 1995
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON RULES, OCTOBER 30, 1995
A RESOLUTION
1 Amending House Resolution No. 48, adopted May 23, 1995, entitled
2 "A resolution directing the Legislative Budget and Finance
3 Committee to conduct a comprehensive study evaluating
4 existing juvenile programming available across this
5 Commonwealth and to make recommendations to the House of
6 Representatives," further providing for the report of the
7 committee.
8 RESOLVED, That House Resolution No. 48, adopted May 23, 1995,
9 be amended to read:
10 A RESOLUTION
11 Directing the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to
12 conduct a comprehensive study evaluating existing juvenile
13 programming available across this Commonwealth and to make
14 recommendations to the House of Representatives.
15 WHEREAS, In 1994 there were over 5,000 delinquency placements
16 across this Commonwealth as a result of delinquency
17 determinations; and
18 WHEREAS, The Commonwealth relies on a system of public and
19 private, for-profit and not-for-profit juvenile programs; and
1 WHEREAS, The Department of Public Welfare licenses these
2 programs but has never developed a formal plan which provides
3 for a continuum of services to these youths; and
4 WHEREAS, The so-called system of juvenile services has
5 evolved without any real planning process; and
6 WHEREAS, The rates of juveniles committing more serious and
7 violent crimes have increased and these delinquent youth are
8 being placed in facilities that may or may not be adequate given
9 the severity of their crimes; and
10 WHEREAS, There is a perception that juvenile crime is rampant
11 and out of control in some areas of this Commonwealth and that
12 the courts are unable to provide for the public safety; and
13 WHEREAS, There is continuing pressure to change the current
14 system that provides for juvenile delinquents without any
15 objective evaluation of the current system of services regarding
16 its meeting the needs of both the public and the youths; and
17 WHEREAS, There has never been any formal assessment of the
18 suitability or effectiveness of these programs; therefore be it
19 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives direct the
20 Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to undertake a
21 comprehensive review of the various juvenile programs, including
22 all out-of-home residential and nonresidential programs in which
23 juveniles are placed as a result of a juvenile court delinquency
24 proceeding; and be it further
25 RESOLVED, That the report shall include, but is not limited
26 to, the following:
27 (1) A description of the evolution of 42 Pa.C.S. Ch. 63
28 (relating to juvenile matters) and its philosophy and method
29 for the treatment of young juvenile offenders in this
30 Commonwealth.
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1 (2) A description and evaluation of the various
2 programs, both public and private, open or secure, that are
3 available to the courts for the purposes of treatment and
4 rehabilitation.
5 (3) Information on the cost of these services and the
6 method of payment for these services.
7 (4) Information on the funding streams utilized for
8 these programs.
9 (5) Information on the demographics of the children
10 placed in these programs to include the types of crimes
11 committed by these youths; the number of juveniles placed in
12 each facility with accompanying information regarding waiting
13 lists, special requirements with regard to placement, types
14 of treatment programs available and overall rates of success.
15 (6) Information from the entities who utilize, regulate
16 and fund these services regarding the effectiveness of these
17 programs as well as specific information on the types of
18 programs needed to adequately address the problems of these
19 youths.
20 (7) Recommendations on which programs the Commonwealth
21 should continue to support, as well as new programs that
22 should be initiated that balance the needs of the kids as
23 well as the safety of the public.
24 (8) Information on necessary changes in State rules,
25 statutes and licensing requirements, including changes in
26 statutes and rules relating to the dispositions of these
27 youths;
28 therefore be it
29 RESOLVED, That the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee
30 submit the report to the House of Representatives by [December
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1 30, 1995] January 31, 1996.
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