The bill amends existing laws regarding the placement of individuals convicted as adults for offenses committed while under the age of 18, specifically limiting their placement in juvenile rehabilitation institutions to those under the age of 21. It stipulates that if a person’s earned release date occurs before their 21st birthday, they will be transferred to the custody of the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) until they complete their term of confinement or reach the age of 21. The bill also clarifies that while in DCYF custody, these individuals must receive the same treatment and program access as other juveniles, and decisions regarding their treatment and placement will be at the discretion of the DCYF.

Additionally, the bill modifies the eligibility criteria for community transition services, allowing individuals to qualify after serving 60% of their term of confinement, provided they have served at least 15 weeks in total confinement. It also specifies that community transition services must include access to various supportive programs, such as behavioral health treatment and education, and emphasizes the importance of culturally relevant programming. The bill removes previous age restrictions related to community transition services, specifically the reference to the individual’s 25th birthday, and instead focuses on the 21st birthday as a critical age for custody decisions.

Statutes affected:
Original Bill: 72.01.410, 72.01.412