The bill seeks to rename the "Juvenile Justice Commission" to the "Youth Justice Commission" throughout New Jersey's legal framework, reflecting a modernized approach to youth justice. This change involves replacing the term "Juvenile" with "Youth" in various legal contexts, including the commission's responsibilities and the title of the act. The amendments aim to enhance the structure and function of the juvenile justice system, promoting a more youth-centered approach that emphasizes rehabilitation and accountability. Additionally, the bill clarifies the roles of the Youth Justice Commission, including the determination of detention facilities, data collection on juvenile delinquency, and the publication of biennial reports to inform legislative recommendations.

Furthermore, the bill introduces several provisions to improve the evaluation and rehabilitation processes for juveniles, such as allowing courts to consult with relevant agencies before making dispositions and expanding predisposition reports to include victim impact statements. It also emphasizes the importance of family involvement and the unique needs of juveniles when determining appropriate dispositions. The bill establishes a State/Community Partnership Grant Program to support county youth services and outlines the responsibilities of the Youth Justice Commission in managing juvenile records, ensuring confidentiality, and enhancing educational rights for children in state facilities. Overall, the bill aims to create a more effective and supportive juvenile justice system in New Jersey.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 2A:4A-20, 2A:4A-22, 2A:4A-26.1, 2A:4A-37, 2A:4A-42, 2A:4A-43, 2A:4A-43.4, 2A:4A-44, 2A:4A-44.1, 2A:4A-44.2, 2A:4A-44.3, 2A:4A-44.4, 2A:4A-60, 2C:7-2, 2C:7-3, 2C:7-4, 2C:14-14, 2C:29-10, 2C:33-15.1, 2C:43-2.2, 2C:46-4, 2C:58-6.1, 9:6-8.40, 9:22-9, 9:23-2, 11A:2-11.1, 18A:7B-4, 18A:7B-5, 18A:7B-7, 18A:7B-12, 18A:7B-13, 18A:7C-12, 18A:7F-24, 18A:7F-45, 18A:71B-88, 18A:71B-89, 18A:71B-90, 18A:71B-96, 30:4-27.26, 30:4-82.4, 30:4-91.15, 30:4-123.45, 30:4-123.103, 30:4-157.4, 30:4-157.7, 30:7E-7, 30:8-63, 30:9A-25, 34:15C-6, 34:15F-12, 40A:14-200, 52:4B-8.1, 52:16A-26.10, 52:17B-67, 52:17B-169, 52:17B-170, 52:17B-171.1, 52:17B-171.2, 52:17B-171.3, 52:17B-171.5, 52:17B-171.6, 52:17B-171.7, 52:17B-171.8, 52:17B-171.9, 52:17B-171.10, 52:17B-171.11, 52:17B-171.12, 52:17B-171.13, 52:17B-171.14, 52:17B-172, 52:17B-174, 52:17B-176, 52:17B-178, 52:17B-179, 52:17B-180, 52:17B-183, 55:19-60