SC H3595

Establishes juvenile pretrial diversion courts in each judicial circuit to provide alternatives to the juvenile justice system for first-time offenders who commit nonviolent status offenses or delinquent acts

Requires law enforcement officers to check a child's criminal history database and refer eligible first-time nonviolent offenders directly to diversion court rather than the juvenile justice system

Department of Juvenile Justice must develop and fund predetention diversion programs offering educational services, mentoring, mental health services, and behavioral health services in each judicial circuit

Children may participate in diversion programs for 3-6 months, with possible extension up to 12 months; successful completion results in dismissed charges that cannot be reinstated

Diversion program records must be kept separate from juvenile justice records and will not appear on a child's criminal history; no court or program fees may be charged to participating children