The bill amends the Kansas juvenile justice code to enhance judicial authority over juvenile offenders, allowing judges to commit them to detention for technical violations of probation and increasing the cumulative detention limit from 45 days to 90 days. It introduces stricter penalties for juvenile offenders who use firearms or are repeat offenders, extending the minimum commitment period from six months to 12 months and the maximum from 18 months to 36 months. The bill mandates that the court review any detention commitment every seven days and clarifies that detention should only occur after exhausting all other alternatives, with technical violations alone not leading to detention. Additionally, it requires a risk assessment before sentencing and provides guidelines for fines, restitution, and community service.

The bill also establishes procedures for courts to hear testimony from victims and school representatives regarding a juvenile's school attendance in relation to their victim. It outlines criteria for short-term alternative placements for serious offenses and requires a written reintegration plan for juveniles placed outside their homes. The bill modifies commitment terms for various juvenile offender categories and emphasizes the use of risk assessments in guiding sentencing and probation decisions. It mandates community-based responses to technical violations and outlines the responsibilities of the secretary for children and families and the secretary of corrections in managing the juvenile intake and assessment system, ensuring a standardized detention risk assessment tool is used. Overall, the bill aims to create a more structured and accountable juvenile justice system while repealing several existing statutes to align with these new provisions.

Statutes affected:
As introduced: 38-2361, 75-7023, 38-2391, 38-2392, 38-2369