Bill > SB323

This bill, known as the Youth Charging Reform Act, makes significant changes to Maryland's juvenile justice system by altering the jurisdiction of the juvenile court, modifying detention rules, and establishing new reporting requirements. Primarily, it repeals provisions that prevented the juvenile court from having jurisdiction over a child alleged to have committed a crime punishable by life imprisonment, thereby expanding the court's reach. The bill also introduces new guidelines for placing children in detention, requiring the use of risk scoring instruments and placing stricter limitations on detaining youth accused of misdemeanors, with specific exceptions for certain offenses or prior delinquency records. Furthermore, it prohibits the detention or confinement of any child, even those facing adult criminal charges, in facilities where they could have sight or sound contact with incarcerated adults, with a limited exception for temporary processing in adult jails for up to six hours if separated from adults. The Act also mandates increased reporting from the Department of Juvenile Services and the Governor's Office of Crime Prevention and Policy to the General Assembly and other bodies regarding various aspects of juvenile detention, case transfers, and the impact of these reforms.