MS HB1536

Requires youth court judges to order any youth found in possession of illegal drugs or drug paraphernalia on school property to participate in a drug court program, provided the youth meets existing eligibility criteria in Section 9-23-15(1).

Automatically expunges the record of a youth upon successful completion of the drug court program for offenses involving drugs or paraphernalia found on school property.

Makes participation in drug court mandatory for youth meeting eligibility criteria found with drugs or drug paraphernalia on school property, unlike the discretionary nature of drug court participation for other offenders.

Adds drug court participation as a disposition alternative available to youth court judges in delinquency cases under Section 43-21-605.

Takes effect July 1, 2019.