Substitute Bill No. 7250 proposes significant reforms to the Juvenile Justice Policy and Oversight Committee by expanding its membership and establishing a state advisory council. The bill repeals and replaces subsection (b) of section 46b-121n of the general statutes, adding new members such as the Commissioner of Housing and the Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection, while modifying the appointment process for youth representatives to include those with community expertise. Additionally, a new subsection (v) is introduced to section 46b-121n, which creates a state advisory council responsible for meeting federal requirements under the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act, including the development of a juvenile justice plan and the review of grant applications.

Furthermore, the bill addresses chronic absenteeism in schools by amending section 10-198c, requiring local and regional boards of education with high absenteeism rates to form attendance review teams. These teams will meet monthly to discuss interventions for truants and chronically absent students, with the Department of Education mandated to report annually on their efforts starting February 1, 2026. The legislation also introduces new reporting requirements for municipalities with juvenile review boards and diversion programs, tasks the Police Officer Standards and Training Council with developing a youth diversion policy and training curriculum by February 1, 2026, and requires the Department of Children and Families to report on a trauma-informed treatment plan. All new provisions will take effect upon passage.

Statutes affected:
JUD Joint Favorable Substitute:
File No. 755:
APP Joint Favorable: