Many children and youth involved in the juvenile justice system have experienced potentially traumatic events and adverse childhood experiences, and more than half have a mental health disorder. As they become more deeply involved in the system, this population is likely to face continued exposure to violence. According to the National Judicial Task Force to Examine State Courts’ Response to Mental Illness, most justice-involved youth with mental health disorders could be better served outside of the system.
 
In November 2025, the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency’s (PCCD) Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Committee (JJDPC) made several recommendations for improving behavioral health services for justice-involved children and youth. It noted that “…solutions must expand community-based options alongside more intensive care delivery settings.” For this reason, the Juvenile Court Judges’ Commission will begin requiring a mental health screening tool to inform all probation intake decisions starting in July 2027. Our legislation will build on these efforts by requiring pre-adjudication behavioral health screenings and assessments. The legislation would also require private insurance and government programs to cover such screenings and assessments, as well as needed behavioral health services at this stage of involvement in the juvenile justice system.
 
Regardless of a child’s experience prior to involvement with the juvenile justice system, they deserve the chance to receive the help they need. Please join us in giving justice-involved children and youth a better chance at long-term success by signing on to this proposal.