DE HB197

Repeals subsection (c)(16) of § 1009, which allowed courts to impose conditions on parents or guardians of children in the Family Court Adjudicated Drug Court Program.

Repeals § 1012 in its entirety, eliminating the Family Court Adjudicated Drug Court Program that allowed children with substance abuse issues to enter deferred adjudication with treatment requirements.

Modifies the definition of "adjudication" in § 1009(j)(1) to remove "or drug court" deferred pleas from the types of pleas covered under conviction definitions.

Repeal is based on comprehensive program analysis finding that the Division of Youth Rehabilitative Services (YRS) now effectively identifies and addresses substance use disorders in justice-involved youth through improved assessment tools and case management practices.

Recent juvenile justice reforms, including civil citation programs, are keeping more youth out of the justice system while ensuring substance use disorders are addressed through existing services.