HB 1354 Summary

• Requires the Administrative Office of Courts to develop and implement a statewide mandatory Risk Assessment Instrument for all youth courts by July 1, 2015, using a point scale to determine risk levels.

• Establishes the Juvenile Risk Assessment Fund in the State Treasury to support implementation, training, and evidence-based supervision programs for juveniles.

• Mandates that school-age children referred to youth court by school officials be assessed using the Risk Assessment Instrument prior to detention, with low-risk children referred to alternative school programs instead of detention centers.

• Allows school districts to place children assessed as low or moderate risk by the youth court intake unit into alternative school programs with appropriate oversight and parental notification.

• Effective date is July 1, 2015.