ND HB1427

Commission on juvenile justice shall establish three planning committees during 2021-23 biennium to research, develop recommendations, and implement best practices for juvenile justice, with oversight from the commission and children's cabinet.

Juvenile Justice Planning Committee shall assess community-based services for moderate- to high-risk offenders, identify service gaps, coordinate funding across systems, improve rural and tribal access, establish outcome measures and data collection standards, and develop provider evaluation policies.

Planning Committee for Children in Need of Services shall guide transition to human service zones, establish referral protocols for schools and law enforcement, develop case plan requirements, and create a continuum of care without formal court involvement.

Planning Committee for Alternatives to Juvenile Detention shall develop community-based detention alternatives using least-restrictive settings, explore pre-adjudication options, identify service gaps, validate detention screening tools, and establish statewide override policies to limit subjective detention decisions.

All three committees must meet at least quarterly, submit recommendations within 12 months, and receive staffing support from the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation or Department of Human Services.