MS SB2699

Raises the minimum age for transfer from youth court to circuit court from 13 to 16 years old.

Requires children ages 13-15 to have been adjudicated delinquent for at least three felonies and committed to state training school at least twice before being eligible for transfer.

Mandates a transfer study for any youth under age 16 when a motion to transfer is filed; transfer studies for youth 16 and older are discretionary.

Removes language that previously allowed transfer without prior juvenile institution placement, making prior delinquency and commitment history a requirement for younger youth.

Effective date: July 1, 2020.