Bill Text: MS HB372 | 2014 | Regular Session | Introduced

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Bill Title: Juvenile Detention and Alternatives Task Force; extend repealer on.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)

Status: (Failed) 2014-02-04 - Died In Committee [HB372 Detail]

Download: Mississippi-2014-HB372-Introduced.html

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MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2014 Regular Session

To: Rules; Judiciary B

By: Representative Formby

House Bill 372

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 4, CHAPTER 564, LAWS OF 2012, TO EXTEND THE DATE OF REPEAL ON THE CONTINUED ESTABLISHMENT OF THE JUVENILE DETENTION AND ALTERNATIVES TASK FORCE AND ITS COMPONENT ADVISORY GROUP; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

     BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

     SECTION 1.  Section 4, Chapter 564, Laws of 2012, is amended as follows:

     Section 4.  (1)  There is established the Juvenile Detention and Alternatives Task Force.  The purpose of the task force is to support the expansion of juvenile detention alternatives and recommend licensing standards for juvenile detention facilities throughout the state.

     (2)  The task force shall be composed of the following members who shall be appointed no later than August 1, 2012:

          (a)  The statewide coordinator of the Annie E. Casey Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative, or his designee;

          (b)  The Director of the Division of Youth Services of the Mississippi Department of Human Services, or his designee;

          (c)  A representative from the Juvenile Facilities Monitoring Unit appointed by the Commissioner of the Mississippi Department of Public Safety;

          (d)  Two (2) youth court judges appointed by the Mississippi Council of Youth Court Judges;

          (e)  A representative from the Mississippi Sheriffs' Association appointed by the President of the Association;

          (f)  Four (4) representatives from counties of this state that are engaged in the Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative, to be appointed by Mississippi's statewide coordinator of the Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative;

          (g)  A representative from the Department of Mental Health appointed by the Executive Director of the Department;

          (h)  Six (6) representatives from the Mississippi Juvenile Detention Directors Association appointed by the President of the Association;

          (i) Two (2) county supervisors from counties with juvenile detention centers, appointed by the President of the Mississippi Association of County Detention Supervisors;

          (j)  Two (2) county administrators from counties with juvenile detention centers, appointed by the President of the Mississippi Association of Supervisors;

          (k)  The State Superintendent of Education, or his designee; and

          (l)  Two (2) representatives from state or local government, one (1) to be appointed by the Chairperson of the House Youth and Family Affairs Committee and one (1) to be appointed by the Chairperson of the Senate Judiciary B Committee.

     (3)  The task force shall hold at least three (3) meetings before issuing its report and shall hold its first meeting no later than September 1, 2012, on the call of the statewide coordinator of the Annie E. Casey Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative, or his designee.  At its first meeting, the task force shall elect a chairperson and a vice chairperson from its membership and shall adopt rules for transacting business and keeping records.  All meetings of the task force will be open to the public and shall provide opportunities for input from representatives of any private or public entities that are involved with the juvenile justice system.  Notice of all meetings shall be given as provided in the Open Meetings Act.

     (4)  On or before November 1, 2013, and annually thereafer, the task force shall file a report with the Secretary of the Senate and the Clerk of the House of Representatives that includes the following:

          (a)  A plan for supporting juvenile detention alternatives;

          (b)  A plan for reducing the financial burden incurred by counties for providing juvenile detention services, increasing cross-county collaboration, reducing duplication of services, and maximizing support from federal, state and private sources;

          (c)  Proposed juvenile detention licensing standards, which may consider national standards and the minimum standards set forth in Section 43-21-321;

          (d)  A recommendation of which state agency should be authorized to promulgate, adopt and enforce the proposed licensing standards and any other regulations for juvenile detention centers;

          (e)  Any recommended legislation for consideration in the * * * 2013 immediately approaching Legislative Session; and

          (f)  Any other issues related to juvenile detention centers or alternatives to juvenile detention deemed relevant by the task force.

     (5)  The task force shall be assigned to the Division of Youth Services of the Department of Human Services for administrative purposes only, and the Division of Youth Services shall designate staff to assist the task force.

     (6)  There is created an advisory group established for the purpose of providing advice, input and information to the Juvenile Detention and Alternatives Task Force.  Advisory group members shall receive notice of task force meetings and shall, at the request of the chairperson of the task force, provide assistance with research and analysis.  The advisory group shall be composed of the following members who shall be appointed no later than September 15, 2012:

          (a)  Two (2) representatives from children's advocacy nonprofit organizations, one (1) to be appointed by the Chairperson of the House Youth and Family Affairs Committee and one (1) to be appointed by the Chairperson of the Senate Judiciary B Committee;

          (b)  Two (2) representatives of a victim's rights organization appointed by the Attorney General;

          (c)  Two (2) representatives who are parents or guardians of a youth involved with the juvenile justice system, one (1) to be appointed by the Chairperson of the House Youth and Family Affairs Committee and one (1) to be appointed by the Chairperson of the Senate Judiciary B Committee;

          (d)  Two (2) youths who have experience with juvenile detention appointed by the Council of Youth Court Judges;

          (e)  Three (3) members appointed by the Chairperson of the Juvenile Detention and Alternatives Task Force;

          (f)  Two (2) representatives who are from Mississippi public universities and have substantial experience with juvenile justice or criminal justice administration, to be appointed by the Commissioner of Higher Education;

          (g)  A representative from the Mississippi Juvenile Justice Advisory Committee appointed by the Chairperson of the Committee;

          (h)  A representative from the Mississippi Prosecutor's Association;

          (i) A representative from the Mississippi Public Defender Association; and

          (j)  The Chairperson of the House Youth and Family Affairs Committee and the Chairperson of the Senate Judiciary B Committee, or their designees.

     (7)  This section shall stand repealed on July 1, * * * 2014 2017.

     SECTION 2.  This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2014.