AR SB982

Division of Youth Services shall develop effective community-based alternatives to confinement and incarceration, with emphasis on reducing secure confinement for youths who do not pose serious risk to public safety.

Defines "reduction in commitment services" to include electronic monitoring, therapy, day treatment, mental health/substance abuse counseling, parenting classes, respite care, and emergency shelter services, acquired through comprehensive community-based providers.

Creates Youth Justice Reform Board with maximum 21 members representing families, youth, service providers, judges, prosecutors, public defenders, advocacy groups, and other stakeholders, to be established within 60 days of enactment.

Board must submit plan to General Assembly by June 30, 2016 to reduce use of secure confinement for low-risk youth over a two-year period, with measurable objectives and statewide strategies.

Division must establish method by July 1, 2016 to calculate state cost savings from reduced commitments by judicial district and include savings analysis in annual reports to support expansion of proven effective community-based alternatives.