HB132 Summary

• Implements Alabama Juvenile Justice Task Force recommendations by substantially revising the juvenile justice system, including expansion of early intervention programs prior to court involvement and establishment of standards for informal adjustments.

• Requires development of statewide detention risk assessment tool by October 1, 2019, and risk and needs assessment tool by October 1, 2019, both to be validated by January 1, 2022, to inform detention decisions and case planning.

• Authorizes video detention hearings under certain conditions, removes assessment of fines and court costs against children (while allowing assessment against parents), and establishes specific offense eligibility requirements for Department of Youth Services placement.

• Creates Juvenile Justice Reinvestment Fund administered by Department of Youth Services to reinvest averted costs from reduced youth custody into evidence-based community programs, with oversight by the Juvenile Justice Fund Oversight Committee.

• Requires local school boards and the Department of Education to develop multi-disciplinary agreements addressing school-based offenses and implement early warning truancy prevention programs before court referrals, with courts given discretion regarding juvenile sex offender registration requirements.