Sen Alonjo t. Washington (D-Prince George), Senate Judicial proceedings Committee Chairman Sen William C. Smith Junior (D-Montgomery) asked about the Juvenile Justice Reform Act. Brian p. Photo by Sears.
A day after the Maryland House of Delegates, a teenage justice reform bill was given initial approval, the Senate did the same on Thursday.
The Senate Bill 744 includes 12 amendments adopted by the Judicial Action Committee earlier this week, with several household versions.
An amendment will require that if a child between the ages of 10 and 12 is referred to for a risky youth and prevention program, it should be a program managed by a law enforcement agency or local state’s attorney office, a local care team, or community-based service provider.
The changes will also require a law enforcement officer who arrests a youth to file a written report with the Juvenile Services Department (DJ), which reveals whether the young man was sent to an event.
Bills of both chambers will require DJs to complete a three -year plan, including programs for youth who are at the most risk of “gun violence or criminals. However, the house bill states that the programs will be targeted for youths between the ages of 10 to 14 years.
Although both bills require a commission on teenage justice reform and emerging and best practices to hold their first meeting by 1 July, bills are different which will work in the Commission.
The Senate amendment will require that two commission members be from the consortium on coordinated community support, which is responsible for developing a state -wide outline to expand access to behavioral health services for students in Maryland.
While both versions will be required to serve in the Commission with a relevant education experience, the house version will also require a local school superintendent and a school principal.
Sen William c. Smith Junior (D-Montgomery), Chairman of the Judicial Action Committee, admitted that the bill did not include some measures that some advocates, state lawyers and public guards wanted.
“If [the bill’s] At a place where no one is quite happy, perhaps you have done the right thing, ”he told reporters after the Senate session.
Of Sen Clarence. Three amendments were accepted from Lam (D-Hover and Anne Arundel) from one Senate floor. For the amendment of LAM, it will be necessary to distribute information about children requiring the State Board of Offenders Services Supervision Petition, also known as CINS.
The Senate rejected, in 29–17 votes, an amendment introduced by Sen Mary Beth Karza (R-Lower edge). His amendment would have allowed a law enforcement officer to question a child – after giving appropriate notice to a parent, guardian or guardian – if the crime of violence was committed.
He said that the Child Investigation Protection Act passed two years ago has made it difficult for law enforcement agencies and local state lawyers to investigate and prosecute crimes.
After the session, Senate Minority Whip Justin Ready (R-Frederick and Carol) said he would like to see a strong bill.
“The idea that you can never question a child without a lawyer, as long as an adult is present, I don’t agree,” Ready said.
During the debate, Smith stated that the current law protects the constitutional rights of a child and allows a child to receive legal advice from a lawyer.
“The law as it stands, it is not the ability to make law enforcement to inquire and do its work,” he said. “The law protects public safety. The law, as it stands, now protects constitutional rights regardless of your age. ,
The Senate may give a final approval to the bill in early Monday, while the House may do that Friday.
Re -published