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. Key changes include the stipulation that if an individual'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 treatment and program decisions for these individuals will be at the discretion of the DCYF, and they cannot be transferred back to the Department of Corrections without DCYF's approval until they turn 21.

Additionally, the bill modifies 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, while ensuring that individuals are supervised by the DCYF. The bill removes previous provisions related to individuals over the age of 25 and clarifies the definitions and conditions under which community transition services can be provided.

Statutes affected:
Original Bill: 72.01.410, 72.01.412