Grassley, Whitehouse Introduce Bill to Reauthorize Critical Juvenile Justice Program

WASHINGTON– Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) today introduced theJuvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (JJDPA) Reauthorization Actto reauthorize key delinquency prevention programs and bolster federal protections for incarcerated minors.
“Kids in our juvenile justice system ought to be treated fairly and given the tools they need to succeed,”Grassley said.“Our bipartisan bill builds off decades of work to strengthen the core tenets of this critical program, and I thank Senator Whitehouse for his continued partnership to protect and improve outcomes for at-risk youth.”
“Senator Grassley has been a steadfast partner in strengthening protections for kids in the justice system. I’m proud to continue our bipartisan work to equip state and local communities with resources to keep kids out of the juvenile justice system and to give young people a better chance to get their lives on track after getting out,”Whitehouse said.
TheJuvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Reauthorization Actwould:
Download bill textHERE.
Background:
In 2018, Grassley and Whitehousechampionedthe first reauthorization of theJuvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Actin nearly 16 years. Their landmark legislation made significant updates to the 1974 law, including measures to expand program oversight, promote screening for mental illness and substance abuse, prohibit the shackling of pregnant youth in juvenile detention, ensure the separation of juvenile and adult offenders and provide detained children access to adequate legal representation.
Last year, Grassleyjoined Iowansto celebrate the 50th anniversary of JJDPA and was honored by Iowa youth for his work to reform the juvenile justice system.
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