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Bill > S1417
NJ S1417
NJ S1417Transfers Juvenile Justice Commission to in, but not of, Department of Children and Families.
summary
Introduced
In Committee
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2010-2011 Regular Session
Bill Summary
Current research finds that preventative and community-based programs help to effectively reduce juvenile crime and recidivism rates, and the countrys juvenile justice systems are being reorganized based on the principles of protection, treatment, and rehabilitation while embracing the equally important ideas of accountability and public safety. To ensure that services for children are consolidated under one State agency, whose focus is to meet the needs of children who may be abused or neglected or in need of behavioral health or other specialized services, this bill, therefore, transfers the Juvenile Justice Commission from in, but not of, the Department of Law and Public Safety to in, but not of, the Department of Children and Families. The transfer will enable the State to better provide evidence-based treatment services to juvenile offenders, and to create a juvenile justice system based on the following beliefs and principles: ● Therapeutic jurisprudence and restorative justice, rather than punishment and isolation shall be the basis for the system; ● The safety of children under the care and custody of the Juvenile Justice Commission, and the community at large, shall be stressed; ● Children under the care and custody of the commission shall be treated as valued individuals and potentially productive members of society, regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, and sexual orientation; ● Children under the care and custody of the commission shall receive individualized treatment and case management services specific to a childs needs and circumstances; ● Intensive group, individual, and family counseling shall be an integral part of the treatment provided to all children in the States juvenile detention facilities, not just those diagnosed with a mental illness; and ● The development and enhancement of appropriate services for the prevention of delinquency shall be encouraged through community partnerships. The bill also changes certain references from the Department of Human Services to the Department of Children and Families to reflect the changes in responsibilities between the two departments as a result of the creation of the Department of Children and Families in 2006.
AI Summary
This bill transfers the Juvenile Justice Commission from the Department of Law and Public Safety to the Department of Children and Families, aiming to consolidate child-focused services and improve the treatment of juvenile offenders. The Juvenile Justice Commission, which oversees state secure juvenile facilities and programs for delinquent youth, will now operate "in, but not of" the Department of Children and Families, meaning it will be housed within the department for administrative purposes but maintain its distinct functions. This move is intended to align with research suggesting that community-based and therapeutic approaches are more effective in reducing juvenile crime and recidivism, emphasizing rehabilitation and individualized treatment over punishment. The bill also updates references to reflect the creation of the Department of Children and Families in 2006 and ensures that the Juvenile Justice Commission's operations are guided by principles of therapeutic jurisprudence, restorative justice, child safety, and community partnerships.
Committee Categories
Justice
Sponsors (2)
Last Action
Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Law and Public Safety Committee (on 02/11/2010)
bill text
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location | Created |
|---|---|---|
| Bill | https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/2010/Bills/S1500/1417_I1.HTM | 05/28/2012 |
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