CS/CS/HB 617 Summary

• Redesignates juvenile justice circuit boards as "juvenile justice circuit advisory boards" and requires each board to have a county organization representing each county in the circuit (except single-county circuits).

• Establishes board membership of 16-18 members including the state attorney, public defender, chief judge, and 15 appointed members from county councils, with initial circuit plans due December 31, 2014, and every 3 years thereafter.

• Specifies board duties including developing comprehensive juvenile justice plans, facilitating interagency cooperation, advising on grant programs, and submitting annual reports to the department by August 1 each year.

• Provides appointment procedures with the Secretary of Juvenile Justice appointing the initial chair within 45 days, limits members to three consecutive 2-year terms (with exceptions), and requires a quorum of at least half voting members to pass measures.

• Makes conforming changes to sections 790.22, 938.17, 948.51, 985.48, and 985.676 to reference the advisory boards and establishes an effective date of October 1, 2013.