This bill aims to amend and reenact sections of the Code of West Virginia related to juvenile justice reform, specifically establishing a Juvenile Justice Reform Oversight Committee and creating a Juvenile Justice Account. The committee will consist of 17 members, including representatives from various state departments, the legislature, and community stakeholders, tasked with overseeing the implementation of juvenile justice reforms, evaluating recidivism data, and ensuring accountability in the juvenile justice system. The committee will also be responsible for issuing annual reports on its progress and recommendations for reinvestment of averted costs into services for youth.

Additionally, the bill introduces a new section that establishes the Juvenile Justice Account, which will be funded through state savings and other sources, and will be used exclusively for specific purposes such as funding evidence-based programs and covering administrative costs. The bill mandates the collection of new data to assess juvenile recidivism and program outcomes, ensuring that this information is made publicly available. Notably, the bill includes provisions for the committee to have subpoena power to obtain necessary data and emphasizes the importance of tracking and evaluating the effectiveness of juvenile justice programs.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 49-2-913, 49-5-106, 49-2-914