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 defines "juvenile pre-charge diversion program" as a certified program aimed at diverting children from juvenile court for offenses that would be classified as simple misdemeanors if committed by adults.

Additionally, the bill outlines the requirements for juvenile pre-charge diversion programs, including the need for them to be community-based and focused on skill-building and restorative justice principles. It mandates that the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) certify these programs and establish minimum standards for their operation. The bill also stipulates that the juvenile court must find probable cause that a child has committed a delinquent act that would be a felony if committed by an adult before waiving its jurisdiction to allow for adult prosecution. Lastly, it directs HHS to form 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