REFERENCE TITLE: juvenile corrections; justice; study committee

State of Arizona Senate Fifty-third Legislature First Regular Session 2017

SB 1119

Introduced by Senators Farley: Bowie, Fann, Pratt; Representative Clodfelter

 

AN ACT

 

Establishing the juvenile corrections and justice reform study committee.

 

 

(TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)

 

Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Arizona:

Section 1.  Juvenile corrections and justice reform study committee; membership; duties; report; delayed repeal

A.  The juvenile corrections and justice reform study committee is established consisting of the following members:

1.  The director of the department of juvenile corrections or the director's designee.

2.  The superintendent of public instruction or the superintendent's designee.

3.  The director of the department of child safety or the director's designee.

4.  The following persons who are appointed by the governor:

(a)  One former judge who has experience with juvenile sentencing, the department of juvenile corrections and juvenile justice programs.

(b)  One prosecutor who has experience prosecuting juvenile offenders and with juvenile justice programs.

(c)  One attorney who has experience defending juvenile offenders in juvenile court and with juvenile justice programs.

(d)  One juvenile probation officer. 

(e)  One mental health expert.

(f)  One employee of an entity that provides addiction treatment services in this state.

B.  The study committee shall research and report on the following:

1.  The current state of juvenile justice in this state and the range and frequency of juvenile discipline carried out by the department of juvenile corrections, the juvenile court and schools.

2.  The programs and resources that are available to juveniles in the department of juvenile corrections. 

3.  The resources that are available to juvenile offenders while committed to the department of juvenile corrections or on probation, including resources from schools, courts, probation officers, program providers and mental health treatment providers and resources within the department of child safety.

4.  The effectiveness of the current laws affecting juvenile corrections and juvenile justice.

5.  Policy recommendations on the range and frequency of disciplinary measures used on juveniles by the department of juvenile corrections and schools.

6.  Data on the juveniles who are subject to disciplinary measures including:

(a)  The juvenile's gender, race and age.

(b)  Whether or not the juvenile was a victim of child abuse or neglect or suffers from mental health issues, including whether the juvenile has participated in other treatment programs.

(c)  The range of services that were available to the juvenile.

7.  Revisions to juvenile offender sentencing laws.

8.  Improving probation and conditional liberty for juvenile offenders.

9.  Reducing the recidivism rate for juvenile offenders.

10.  Data from any studies that have been completed on juvenile intellectual maturation.

11.  The Adobe Mountain facility and any recommendations on the feasibility and cost savings of alternatives to detention of juveniles at the Adobe Mountain facility.

12.  The feasibility of and any cost savings associated with eliminating the department of juvenile corrections and reimbursing each county for the cost of incarcerating that county's juvenile offenders.

C.  On request of the study committee, an agency of this state, a political subdivision of this state, the department of juvenile corrections or a juvenile court in this state shall provide the study committee with its services, equipment, documents, personnel and facilities to the extent possible without cost to the committee.

D.  A majority of the members of the committee constitutes a quorum. The committee members shall select a chairperson from among its members.  The study committee shall meet at any place deemed necessary or convenient by the chairperson.

E.  The legislature shall provide staff and support services to the study committee.

F.  Members of the study committee are not eligible to receive compensation but are eligible for reimbursement of expenses pursuant to title 38, chapter 4, article 2, Arizona Revised Statutes.

G.  The study committee shall submit a report of its findings and any recommendations to the governor, the president of the senate and the speaker of the house of representatives on or before December 31, 2017 and shall provide a copy of this report to the secretary of state.

H.  This section is repealed from and after June 30, 2018.