Substitute Bill No. 7250 proposes significant reforms to the Juvenile Justice Policy and Oversight Committee by expanding its membership and establishing a new state advisory council. The bill repeals and replaces subsection (b) of section 46b-121n, broadening the committee's composition to include various state officials, advocates, and community members, specifically adding the Commissioner of Housing and the Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection. It also introduces two youth representatives with lived experience in the juvenile justice system, appointed by a community expertise subcommittee, while eliminating the previous appointment process for these representatives. Additionally, a new subsection (v) is added to section 46b-121n, creating a state advisory council that will consist of 15 to 33 members, including a representative from the Office of Policy and Management and at least one-fifth of members under the age of 24, tasked with developing the state's juvenile justice plan and advising on grant allocations.

The bill further addresses student attendance issues by mandating local and regional boards of education with high chronic absenteeism rates to establish attendance review teams. These teams will review cases, discuss interventions, and make recommendations for truants and chronically absent children. The Department of Education is required to report annually on the efforts and outcomes of these teams starting February 1, 2026. Additionally, municipalities with juvenile review boards must report on youth diversion data, and by the same date, the Police Officer Standards and Training Council, along with the Juvenile Justice Policy and Oversight Committee, will develop a statewide youth diversion policy and training curriculum for police officers. The bill also includes new reporting requirements for the Department of Children and Families and the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management to evaluate various juvenile justice initiatives.

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