Bill > HB1381

This bill amends various sections of Title 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes related to juvenile matters. Key provisions include: - Expanding the purposes of the juvenile chapter to include access to free and appropriate public education. - Modifying the definitions of various terms, including "delinquent act," "delinquent child," and "dependent child." - Placing limitations on the detention of certain juvenile offenders prior to adjudication. - Prohibiting the detention of juveniles solely due to a lack of supervision alternatives, avoidance of parental responsibility, risk of self-harm, or technical probation violations. - Restricting the use of room confinement in juvenile treatment facilities. - Requiring consideration of a child's educational needs and stability when making dispositional orders, including allowing a child to remain in their school of origin when possible. - Allowing for informal adjustment and diversion programs for certain juvenile offenses, and limiting the length and terms of consent decrees. - Establishing a process for determining the appropriate educational placement for a juvenile upon release from out-of-home placement. - Modifying provisions related to the transfer of juvenile cases to criminal proceedings and the disposition of delinquent children, including limitations on removing a child from the home and the length of out-of-home placements. The bill applies to all juvenile proceedings initiated on or after the effective date, which is six months from enactment.

Justice

https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billinfo/bill_history.cfm?syear=2023&sind=0&body=H&type=B&bn=1381