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Senate Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
Senate of Pennsylvania
Session of 2021 - 2022
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | March 11, 2022 03:42 PM |
|---|---|
| From: | Senator Lisa Baker and Sen. Steven J. Santarsiero, Sen. Jay Costa |
| To: | All Senate members |
| Subject: | Legislation to Address Recommendations 2, 5, 16 and 23 of the Juvenile Justice Task Force Report |
| Pennsylvania’s Juvenile Justice Task Force, comprised of distinguished experts and advocates from across the state, issued its key findings last year following a comprehensive assessment to examine how current practices can better align with research about what works to improve youth outcomes. Building upon this effort, we are introducing a package of legislation to address recommendations 2, 5, 16 and 23 of the Juvenile Justice Task Force Report. Other bills warranting our consideration and action will be introduced by other legislators soon. All of the measures represent significant and worthy changes to our current system. One component of our proposal will fix a substantial flaw in juvenile records. When someone who was involved in the juvenile justice system turns 21, their records do not automatically disappear. This is true for individuals who complete their supervision and for those whose cases are dismissed or withdrawn. Most cases are not expunged. For example, three-quarters of the dismissed or withdrawn cases remain accessible. This poses a considerable barrier for juveniles seeking to get their lives back on track. With background checks so prevalent today, juvenile records can negatively affect employment, education, housing, credit, and identification down the road. In recent years, we have approved Second Chance legislation for adult offenders. It is inconsistent and self-defeating to allow juvenile mistakes to follow individuals through life and severely restrict their opportunities. Key changes include:
In addition, legislation will make clear that The Juvenile Court Judges Commission will be responsible for ensuring that the juvenile probation offices have the technology and tools in place to inform the court when expungement eligibility occurs. This will address the gaps in communication that currently prevent consideration of expungement for too many cases. A key premise of reform is to limit the time for which youths are kept in out-of-home placements. We propose that disposition review hearings will be held every three months, rather than the nine-month intervals contained in existing law. The review hearings will determine whether progress is consistent with the placement plan. We hope you will join us in working to improve outcomes for youth, families, and communities across the Commonwealth. |
Introduced as SB1226