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ACROSS SESSIONS
- Subject Index: Since 1995
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Developed and maintained by the Division of Legislative Automated Systems.
1995 SESSION
LD6159352WHEREAS, Virginia's juvenile code was revised in 1977 to comply with the federal Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act, which was intended to provide grant funds to the states for delinquency prevention; and
WHEREAS, although approximately $10 million was supposedly earmarked for Virginia, only about $900,000 was ever actually appropriated for the entire Commonwealth; and
WHEREAS, the 1977 revisions created categories of offenders, including status offender, and established alternative sanctions for the courts in dealing with the various categories of offenders; and
WHEREAS, status offender is defined by the Virginia Code as a minor who commits an act that is prohibited by law which would not be an offense if committed by an adult (e.g., curfew violations, truancy, alcohol violations); and
WHEREAS, the revisions to certain sections of the juvenile code took away the authority of the court to detain status offenders; and
WHEREAS, the state should examine the alternatives provided to the courts for status offenders in light of the projected increases in juvenile crime; and
WHEREAS, alternatives which would effectively handle status offenders could arrest the development of that juvenile into an adult criminal; and
WHEREAS, preventive measures would assist children, localities and the Commonwealth in both the long and short terms; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That [ there is
hereby created a joint subcommittee to study juvenile status offenders, the
current methods available to the courts for dealing with status offenders,
and recommended alternatives. The joint subcommittee shall consist of seven
members to be appointed as follows: four members of the House of Delegates to
be appointed by the Speaker of the House, and three members of the Senate to
be appointed by the Senate Committee on Privileges and Elections.
The direct costs of this study shall not exceed $6,300.
The Division of Legislative Services shall provide staff support for the
study. All agencies of the Commonwealth shall provide assistance to the joint
subcommittee, upon request.
The joint subcommittee the Commission on Youth be directed to study
juvenile status offenders. The Commission is requested to consider the
current methods available to the courts for dealing with status offenders and
recommend alternatives.
The Commission ] shall complete its work in time to submit its findings and recommendations to the Governor and the 1996 Session of the General Assembly as provided in the procedures of the Division of Legislative Automated Systems for the processing of legislative documents.
[ Implementation of this resolution is subject to subsequent approval and
certification by the Joint Rules Committee. The Committee may withhold
expenditures or delay the period for the conduct of the study. ]