The "Crossover Youth Act" is designed to improve the welfare of children who are involved in both the child welfare and juvenile justice systems, known as "crossover youth." The legislation establishes a new Crossover Youth Program within the department, appointing a program coordinator to facilitate collaboration among various divisions and agencies, collect data, and develop mandatory training materials. This training will address critical issues such as the impact of trauma, cultural humility, and the importance of maintaining family connections, particularly for siblings. The Act also mandates annual training for staff in protective services and juvenile justice, as well as for attorneys and judicial officers, to ensure comprehensive support for crossover youth and their families.

In addition to establishing the program, the bill amends existing laws related to probation services and the handling of crossover youth. It requires probation services to notify the children's court attorney of any felony complaints and recommend dispositions, while allowing for a waiver of time limitations on adjudication under certain conditions. A new provision mandates that during probation revocation proceedings, the petition must include a statement from the juvenile justice division detailing efforts made to assist the youth. The bill appropriates $100,000 from the general fund for the fiscal year 2026 to support the Crossover Youth Program, with any unspent funds reverting to the general fund at the end of the fiscal year.

Statutes affected:
introduced version: 32A-2-3, 30-2-1, 32A-2-24