Maryland’s new juvenile justice reform law is having a positive impact on youth in trouble, according to state officials.On Thursday, representatives of the Maryland Department of Juvenile Services briefed state lawmakers on changes made to the Juvenile Justice Reform Act and elaborated on its impact on the system.The data seems to conflict with what’s happening on the street. However, police don’t know who is responsible for a spike in fatal shootings involving teenagers.The sweeping legislation that took effect in June 2022 increases access to diversion programs, sets a minimum age for court jurisdiction and prohibits detention for misdemeanor cases.”We know that when we treat people — young people — quickly, we get better outcomes,” said Kara Aanenson, director of legislation and policy at the Maryland Department of Juvenile Services.According to the DJS, since the Juvenile Justice Reform Act took effect, there was a 53% decline in the daily detention population over a 10-year period, there is a 16% increase in pre-court supervision and a 3.4% decrease in youth 12 and under charged with a violent crime.”(This) shows that things are already working, we are off to a good start,” said Baltimore City Delegate Tony Bridges, D-District 41.Lawmakers pressed DJS officials for details on how the screening process works and the extent of parental involvement in juvenile cases.”We identify what needs they have to be able to connect that young person and the family to services,” Aanenson said. “Sometimes, the parent needs additional support. We can connect them with other services in the community that can help the parent with parenting skills and whatever else the family would need.”There is overall concern about transparency as there is currently no opportunity for the public to know details about the crimes committed or the consequences.”We need to ensure that communities are safe. We need to make sure that these children are being rehabilitated while receiving appropriate consequences,” said Baltimore City Delegate Dalya Attar, D-District 41.Attar introduced legislation to create a public database on juvenile felony cases. It would not disclose any information to identify the juvenile.| RELATED: Bill would create database to keep track of violent juvenile offenders”The goal is to see down the line what’s actually happening. Are there actually consequences and true rehabilitation?” Attar said.This is the third year the juvenile database bill has been introduced.The new DJS secretary is expected to update lawmakers next week.
Maryland’s new juvenile justice reform law is having a positive impact on youth in trouble, according to state officials.
On Thursday, representatives of the Maryland Department of Juvenile Services briefed state lawmakers on changes made to the Juvenile Justice Reform Act and elaborated on its impact on the system.
The data seems to conflict with what’s happening on the street. However, police don’t know who is responsible for a spike in fatal shootings involving teenagers.
The sweeping legislation that took effect in June 2022 increases access to diversion programs, sets a minimum age for court jurisdiction and prohibits detention for misdemeanor cases.
“We know that when we treat people — young people — quickly, we get better outcomes,” said Kara Aanenson, director of legislation and policy at the Maryland Department of Juvenile Services.
According to the DJS, since the Juvenile Justice Reform Act took effect, there was a 53% decline in the daily detention population over a 10-year period, there is a 16% increase in pre-court supervision and a 3.4% decrease in youth 12 and under charged with a violent crime.
“(This) shows that things are already working, we are off to a good start,” said Baltimore City Delegate Tony Bridges, D-District 41.
Lawmakers pressed DJS officials for details on how the screening process works and the extent of parental involvement in juvenile cases.
“We identify what needs they have to be able to connect that young person and the family to services,” Aanenson said. “Sometimes, the parent needs additional support. We can connect them with other services in the community that can help the parent with parenting skills and whatever else the family would need.”
There is overall concern about transparency as there is currently no opportunity for the public to know details about the crimes committed or the consequences.
“We need to ensure that communities are safe. We need to make sure that these children are being rehabilitated while receiving appropriate consequences,” said Baltimore City Delegate Dalya Attar, D-District 41.
Attar introduced legislation to create a public database on juvenile felony cases. It would not disclose any information to identify the juvenile.
| RELATED: Bill would create database to keep track of violent juvenile offenders
“The goal is to see down the line what’s actually happening. Are there actually consequences and true rehabilitation?” Attar said.
This is the third year the juvenile database bill has been introduced.
The new DJS secretary is expected to update lawmakers next week.
