Senate Bill 2769 Summary

• Creates Youth Court Chancellor Divisions within 18 specified chancery court districts (First through Nineteenth, excluding Fifth), with each division having a separate Chancellor position elected district-wide.

• Establishes Youth Court Chancellor offices to handle all youth court cases in counties without existing County Youth Courts, with chancellors receiving office operating allowances and intake officers hired by the Administrative Office of Courts.

• Creates the Chancery Youth Court Division Fund in the State Treasury to fund chancellor compensation, support staff, intake officers, and capital improvements for the new divisions.

• Increases the total number of chancellors across affected districts by one position each (19 new chancellor positions total), with elections held in November 2026 and terms beginning January 1, 2027.

• Repeals Section 43-21-111 authorizing regular and special youth court referees effective January 1, 2027, transitioning to the hybrid system of County Youth Courts and Youth Court Chancellor Divisions.