S. 2248: Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Reauthorization Act of 2025

This bill is known as the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Reauthorization Act of 2025. Its primary purpose is to update and reauthorize certain sections of the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act of 1974, specifically Titles II and V. Here are the main elements of what the bill proposes:

1. Definitions and Amendments

The bill amends definitions in the existing law to include "prisons" as secure facilities for juveniles. It also revises how states should establish and maintain advisory groups related to juvenile justice.

2. State Plans

The legislation outlines new requirements for state plans that seek funding. It mandates that states demonstrate they are working towards creating advisory groups and clarifies what constitutes satisfactory evidence in this regard.

3. Probation and Diversion Programs

The bill enhances the focus on improving probation departments and introduces funding for programs that aim to:

• Address racial and ethnic disparities in juvenile justice.
• Collect data regarding the socioeconomic status of youth in the system.
• Divert youth from entering the justice system.

4. Secure Confinement of Juveniles

The bill introduces strict guidelines regarding the secure confinement of juveniles. Key aspects include:

• A requirement for timely assessments when juveniles are taken into custody for violations of valid court orders.
• A limitation on the maximum duration a juvenile can remain in secure detention for status offenses, which must not exceed 7 days.
• Provisions that will eliminate the use of valid court orders for the secure confinement of juveniles who commit status offenses by 2028.

5. Treatment of Youth Awaiting Trial

Juveniles awaiting trial or being prosecuted as adults will be treated differently, with stipulations to prevent contact with adult inmates. Courts will need to consider various factors, such as age and mental state, when determining appropriate placements for these youth.

6. Reporting and Accountability

The legislation includes provisions for better oversight and accountability, requiring regular reviews of the treatment of juveniles in detention facilities.

7. Funding and Appropriations

The bill authorizes funding for programs and initiatives over fiscal years 2026 to 2030, emphasizing a focus on local and nonprofit agencies that provide support to youth and juvenile justice programs.

8. Local and Nonprofit Agency Involvement

Local public and private nonprofit agencies will be eligible for funding, but only under certain conditions, such as demonstrating exigent circumstances and adhering to time limits on funding availability.

9. Conforming Amendments

Conforming amendments are made throughout the bill for consistency and clarity, ensuring that language and references in the law are up-to-date.

10. Authorization of Appropriations

The legislation specifies new fiscal years for federal funding of juvenile justice initiatives, thus extending the legislative framework for juvenile justice programs into the future.

Relevant Companies

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