The bill expands the definition of "youthful offender" to include individuals adjudicated for voluntary manslaughter, thereby broadening the range of offenses that classify a child as a youthful offender. It also extends the duration of supervised release from juvenile facilities and introduces provisions for issuing warrants and tolling the time of supervised release for delinquent children who abscond. The "Juvenile Community Corrections Act" is renamed to the "Juvenile Community Connections Act," with the associated grant fund also receiving a new name. This fund is designated for programs that support adjudicated delinquent children, emphasizing community-based solutions.

Additionally, the bill establishes a local panel to determine the next steps for delinquent children in juvenile facilities, focusing on available services for their well-being. It creates a three-year pilot project for a monetary stipend aimed at improving outcomes for former foster or delinquent children, with specific eligibility criteria and reporting requirements. The bill also redefines terms within the Governmental Immunity Act, expanding the definition of "immune contractor" to include licensed foster parents and certain medical practitioners. Overall, the amendments reflect a comprehensive approach to juvenile justice reform, prioritizing community support and resources for at-risk youth.

Statutes affected:
introduced version: 33-9A-1, 33-9A-2, 33-9A-3, 33-9A-4, 33-9A-5, 41-4-3, 41-13-2
JC substitute: 32A-2-3, 32A-2-19, 32A-2-25, 33-9A-1, 33-9A-2, 33-9A-3, 33-9A-4, 33-9A-5, 33-9A-6, 41-4-3, 41-13-2