This bill amends various sections of the Iowa Code related to the jurisdiction of the juvenile court and the establishment of juvenile pre-charge diversion programs. It expands the definition of "child" to include individuals under 21 years of age who are alleged to have committed offenses under the exclusive original jurisdiction of the juvenile court, provided that the proceedings began before they turned 18. The bill also introduces a new definition for juvenile pre-charge diversion programs, which are certified by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to provide rehabilitative services for children accused of offenses that would be classified as simple misdemeanors if committed by adults.

Additionally, the bill outlines the conditions under which the juvenile court retains jurisdiction, particularly for misdemeanors and specific offenses like animal torture. It establishes that HHS will set minimum standards for these diversion programs, which must focus on skill-building and restorative justice principles. The bill also requires a finding of probable cause for the juvenile court to waive its jurisdiction for felony offenses, a change from the previous requirement. Lastly, it mandates the formation of a study committee to explore alternatives to juvenile detention for probation or technical violations, with a report due by December 15, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 216A.136, 232.2, 232.14, 232.28, 232.45, 232.8, 232.44, 232.149, 803.6