MO SCR29

Creates a Juvenile Justice Task Force to study Missouri's treatment of youth in the criminal justice system and make recommendations to the General Assembly by January 1, 2015.

Task force shall examine raising juvenile court jurisdiction from age 17 to 18, removing juveniles from adult jails pre-trial, revising certification age to adult court, and current research on best practices for youth offenses.

Task force membership includes 2 senators, 2 representatives, state court administrators, Division of Youth Services director, public defenders, prosecutors, advocates, mental health providers, and an ex-offender charged as an adult as a juvenile.

Task force shall analyze the benefits of retaining youth under juvenile jurisdiction, methods to reduce youth in adult detention centers, and the long-term fiscal impact of treating youth in the adult criminal system.

Task force shall meet within two months of resolution adoption and terminate by January 1, 2015, with legislative staff providing research and bill drafting support.