WASHINGTON, DC – Senator Herb Kohl and senior members of the Senate Judiciary Committee today introduced legislation to extend the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act (JJDPA), which authorizes key programs designed to protect young people, keep them out of trouble, and provide necessary resources and programs to provide children with every opportunity to become productive adult members of society.

The JJDPA authorizes a series of competitive grant programs through the Department of Justice to help reduce crime among youths and recidivism in the juvenile justice system.  The reauthorization legislation introduced Wednesday by Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Ranking Member Arlen Specter (R-Pa.) and Committee member Herb Kohl (D-Wis.), is the product of months of research and debate.  The Senate Judiciary Committee held a hearing in December to explore how best to address the needs of states in combating juvenile crime through the reauthorization of the JJDPA.

The proposed legislation would increase federal funding for prevention, intervention and treatment programs designed to reduce incidence of juvenile crime.  The bill strikes a balance between providing federal support and guidance to state programs and respecting the individual criminal justice policies of states.  The bill urges states to make key improvements to juvenile justice systems, and addresses concerns about pretrial detention of youths in adult jails and about detention of children who commit status offenses like truancy by establishing meaningful guidelines, procedural protections, and restrictions.  The legislation also prioritizes and funds mental health and drug treatment for juvenile offenders, and encourages states to further address the overrepresentation of minorities in the juvenile justice system.  Finally, the bill supports the efforts of states that attempt to comply with the core requirements of the JJDPA by making funds available through improvement grants to help bring states into compliance with the Act.

"Juvenile justice programs help prevent crime, strengthen communities and give kids a second chance to succeed and lead productive lives," Kohl said. "This legislation responds to the immediate needs of communities throughout our nation facing the problem of juvenile delinquency by increasing federal resources.  I applaud Senators Leahy and Specter for working with me to unveil this bill that will bolster and expand juvenile justice initiatives, provide hope for millions of at-risk children and address the roots of crime."

"With the reauthorization of this important legislation, we recommit to the important goals of the Juvenile Justice Delinquency and Protection Act," said Leahy.  "We also push the law forward in key ways to better serve our communities and our children.  After months of research and discussions, Senator Kohl, Senator Specter, and I believe we have found a way forward toward creating a system that will work more effectively to protect our young people."

"Despite the nationwide recognition of the importance that role models and mentoring play in youth development, there remains an unfortunate shortage of programs devoted to stemming youth delinquency," Specter said.  "Through mentoring and other programs, this Act will help to prevent delinquency and promote rehabilitation, so that young offenders are less likely to become stuck in the criminal justice system.  I am pleased to be a cosponsor, and I look forward to working with my colleagues in the Senate to pass this legislation." 

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