The bill amends the Kansas juvenile justice code to enhance judicial authority over juvenile offenders, allowing judges to commit juveniles to detention for technical probation violations 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 also mandates that commitment to detention can only occur after exhausting all other alternatives and requires the court to find a significant risk of harm before such a commitment. Additionally, it repeals certain existing sections of the law and amends several statutes to align with these new provisions.

Moreover, the bill establishes a process for courts to hear testimony from victims and school representatives when a juvenile offender and their victim are in the same school district, allowing the court to prohibit the juvenile from attending the same school as the victim. It outlines criteria for short-term alternative placements for juveniles adjudicated for severe offenses and mandates a written reintegration plan if a child is placed outside their home. The bill also revises case length limits based on risk assessment and offense severity, specifies terms of commitment for various offender categories, and emphasizes evidence-based community practices. It allows for detention for probation violations if there is evidence of escalating violence and mandates case plans for juveniles on probation, while also introducing an override function for the detention risk assessment tool under certain circumstances.

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