CS/CS/HB 739 Summary

• Defines "transition-to-adulthood services" for youth in Department of Juvenile Justice custody to develop life skills, including assessments, independent living plans, and services like financial training, employment support, and educational counseling.

• Allows youth in foster care with juvenile delinquency adjudications to remain eligible for Department of Children and Family Services independent living programs and transition services.

• Extends court jurisdiction over participating youth for up to 365 additional days after their 19th birthday if voluntarily participating in transition-to-adulthood services, without creating involuntary residential commitment.

• Creates the College-Preparatory Boarding Academy Pilot Program for at-risk and dependent youth in grades 6-12, to be operated by a selected private nonprofit corporation as a public charter school with capacity growing from 80 to 400 students.

• Requires the State Board of Education to issue annual reports, establish bylaws for academy governance with 5 gubernatorial appointees, and adopt rules; permits Medicaid billing and federal/local funding for services provided.