Bill > S905

This bill aims to improve transparency, best practices, and outcomes for children and communities by establishing a system for collecting and analyzing data on interactions between juveniles and the justice system, with a particular focus on racial and ethnic disparities. It defines key terms like "contact" (any interaction with law enforcement or court officials regarding an offense), "juvenile" (ages 7-18, or up to 22 if still in juvenile court jurisdiction), and "racial and ethnic category." The bill mandates that various state agencies, including law enforcement, courts, probation, and health services, collect this data, which will then be analyzed and reported annually to the legislature and made public. Additionally, the bill modifies definitions and procedures related to juvenile delinquency, introduces a diversion program for youth before arraignment, and establishes stricter guidelines for the use of restraints on juveniles in court, while also creating pathways for expunging juvenile records and recognizing youth status as a mitigating factor in sentencing for individuals under 26.