The proposed bill establishes the "Youth Detention Task Force" in New Jersey, aimed at evaluating the current youth detention system and recommending improvements. The task force will assess whether existing county youth detention facilities, those managed by the Youth Justice Commission, or alternative systems would better serve the youth population. It will consider various factors such as available resources, safety protocols, staff training, and rehabilitation opportunities. The task force will consist of 25 members, including four legislative members, ten ex officio members from various state departments, and public members appointed by both the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the General Assembly, as well as three members with expertise in youth offender adjudication appointed by the Governor.

The task force is required to organize within 60 days of a majority of its members being appointed and will submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including legislative proposals, to the Governor and the Legislature within 18 months of its initial meeting. The task force will expire 30 days after submitting its report. This initiative follows a December 2024 ruling by the Superior Court that placed the Youth Justice Commission in charge of youth detention placements, prompting a comprehensive review of the state's youth detention system to determine its effectiveness and potential need for reform.