Substitute House Bill No. 5508, now Public Act No. 24-139, introduces a series of legislative changes aimed at improving the juvenile justice system and addressing human trafficking. The bill establishes a gender responsiveness subcommittee within the Juvenile Justice Policy and Oversight Committee, which is tasked with analyzing and assessing gender responsive work in the state, developing a framework for reporting police data on human trafficking, and creating policy and legislative recommendations to improve care for youth who identify as girls and are impacted by the juvenile justice system. The bill also amends the deadline for the development of a reentry success plan for youth released from correctional facilities from November 1, 2023, to November 1, 2024, and outlines the plan's components, including the use of credible messengers as mentors and the identification of funding sources for a comprehensive reentry model.

The bill mandates job readiness or career training for youth in correctional facilities and requires collaboration between the Department of Correction and transition support providers to assist youth in employment. It changes the reporting deadline for certain commissioners to the Juvenile Justice Policy and Oversight Committee to December 1, 2024. The bill also restructures the Trafficking in Persons Council, detailing its composition and duties, which now include collaboration with the gender responsiveness subcommittee and the development of mental health and support programs for trafficking victims. Furthermore, the bill establishes the Transforming Children's Behavioral Health Policy and Planning Committee within the Legislative Department, defining its membership, duties, and reporting requirements, with a focus on evaluating and improving behavioral health services for children. The committee is also required to develop a strategic plan and report on its implementation progress by December 1, 2024.