Video & Transcript : 'juvenile' :
Page 18 of 142
CA
Transcript Highlights:
- So in my backyard, I have one juvenile hall.
- Nidorf Juvenile Hall remains unsuitable for the confinement of juveniles due to noncompliance, including
- As pointed out in the prior testimony, the juvenile court and juvenile probation are entirely intertwined
- So they're still going to be in these juvenile halls.
- County juvenile probation officers.
Committee:
House Public Safety
Summary:
The committee heard several public safety measures. SB 704 by Senator Arreguín would require firearm barrels to be purchased through licensed dealers with a background check, as part of efforts to curb ghost guns. Supporters, including Brady Campaign and the California Police Chiefs Association, said barrels are a key unregulated component used in ghost guns; opponents argued the bill would burden lawful gun owners and would not meaningfully stop criminals. The bill was held for a later vote because the committee did not yet have a quorum when it was heard.
SB 258 by Senator Wahab would remove the remaining spousal rape exception for victims unable to consent because of disability. Support came from prosecutors, sheriffs, and disability service organizations, while disability rights groups and public defender organizations opposed or sought amendments, warning the bill could worsen misunderstandings about consent for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. After extensive testimony, the committee voted 7-0 to pass SB 258 to Appropriations.
Senator Umberg presented SB 27, which would make CARE Court more efficient and expand eligibility to some people with schizophrenia-like conditions and certain mood disorders with psychotic features, including some misdemeanor defendants found incompetent to stand trial. Supporters said it would improve treatment linkage and reduce jail cycling; opponents, including county behavioral health directors and many disability advocates, argued it could make CARE Court more coercive and expand a program they view as ineffective. The committee passed SB 27 on a 7-0 vote. The committee also heard SB 36, a price-gouging measure with a proposed search-warrant expansion, and SB 571, which increases penalties for impersonating emergency personnel and looting during disasters; SB 571 passed on a 4-0 vote, while SB 36 was held on call after mixed testimony and a vote. Later, SB 627 by Senator Wiener, which would restrict masking by law enforcement and federal agents with exceptions for safety and undercover work, drew strong support from immigrant-rights and civil liberties groups and strong opposition from police associations; the transcript ends during that hearing before any final action is shown.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- Justice State Advisory Council Juvenile Justice State Advisory Council to<00:05:01.440><c> examine</
- </c><00:05:07.199><c> legal</c> offered to youth in the juvenile legal offered to youth in the juvenile
- And so we believe that this is a part of the next step of creating a new generation of juvenile justice
- And so we believe that this is a part of the next step of creating a new generation of juvenile justice
- Um any comments, juvenile legal system. Um any comments, questions,<00:18:46.559><c> concerns?
Committee:
Senate Health and Human Services
Summary:
The Health and Human Services committee heard testimony on several resolutions. HCR 190, asking the Department of Health to convene a demolition waste reduction work group, drew only written testimony; the Department of Health provided comments in opposition and the Department of Attorney General Services supported it. HCR 91, on requiring insurers and managed care providers to cover prosthetic and orthotic devices, received supportive testimony from SHIPA and an amputee youth advocate who described the high cost and importance of sports prosthetics. HCR 174, on examining the availability and use of land-based learning programs for youth in the juvenile legal system, drew support from the Office of the Public Defender, youth advocates, and a youth council that described land-based learning as culturally rooted and rehabilitative. HR 171, on assessing the social and financial effects of mandatory coverage for continuous glucose monitors, received support from SHIPA, the Hawaiʻi Medical Association, and kidney care and dialysis groups. HCR 146, on the Elderly Simplified Application Project for SNAP, drew support from disability, hunger, and public health groups, with DHS explaining it could implement the project but would need to do manual certification work until its new system is ready.
During decision-making, the committee deferred HCR 190 because the Department of Health said it could not carry out the work group without an appropriation. The committee voted to pass HCR 91 as is. HCR 174 was recommended for passage with amendments to clarify that the resolution would request continued use of land-based learning programs and to reflect existing work already underway. HCR 171 was recommended for passage with amendments to correct a statute description. HCR 146 was recommended for passage with amendments to add language that DHS should apply for and implement the project when capable, acknowledging current system limitations. All recommendations were adopted, and the meeting adjourned.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- To juveniles who are part of a gang, I'm going to have to check.
- I want to address real quick the juvenile issue.
- However, juveniles are still prosecuted under the juvenile system.
- So there still is juvenile diversion.
- There's still juvenile staffing, juvenile sentencing that's done completely separate from the adult system
Committee:
Senate Criminal Justice
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
House Standing Committee on Local Government. (2-10-26)
Local Government
Transcript Highlights:
- Um, so going back to the confidential juvenile records, um, is that standard across other states?
- What limits or safeguards would apply to the release of subsequent use of the juvenile court records
- </c><00:04:14.560><c> If</c><00:04:14.720><c> the</c> coincides with juvenile records.
- If the coincides with juvenile records.
- </c><00:04:20.880><c> court</c><00:04:21.759><c> um</c><00:04:21.919><c> and</c> adjudicated in juvenile
Committee:
House Local Government
CA
Transcript Highlights:
- Jonathan Labba, Pacific Juvenile Defender Center, in support.
- Jonathan Labba, Pacific Juvenile Defender Center, in support.
- Juvenile adjudications are not considered convictions.
- or a juvenile strike to petition for resentencing.
- Again, a juvenile adjudication.
Committee:
House Public Safety
Summary:
The Assembly Public Safety Committee heard several bills, beginning with AB 1127 by Assembly Member Gabriel, which would restrict the sale of certain semi-automatic handguns that can be easily converted to automatic weapons with “switches.” Supporters, including gun violence prevention advocates and survivors, argued the bill targets a specific design flaw and would help prevent mass shootings. Opponents, including the NRA and gun owners’ groups, said the bill is unnecessary because conversion devices are already illegal under federal law and argued it would effectively ban popular handguns and face constitutional challenges. The committee discussed the bill’s narrow scope and constitutional concerns, then voted to pass it as amended to the Judiciary Committee, with the measure placed on call.
The committee also heard AB 468, which would strengthen penalties and prosecution tools for looting and impersonating emergency personnel in evacuation zones and disaster areas. The author and supporters, including firefighters, district attorneys, and city and county officials, said the bill responds to looting and impersonation during recent wildfires and would better protect residents and first responders. Opponents, including public defenders, civil rights groups, and wildfire survivors, warned the bill was overbroad, could worsen racial profiling, and would add unnecessary criminal penalties when better warning systems and emergency support are needed. Members raised concerns about penalty enhancements, the definition of evacuation zones, and possible profiling impacts; the author said he would continue working on amendments. The committee voted to pass AB 468 as amended to Appropriations, and it was also held on call.
Assembly Member Celeste Rodriguez presented AB 1187, which would require additional firearm safety training, including live-fire instruction, before obtaining a firearm safety certificate and would require new residents who import firearms to obtain a certificate within 60 days. Supporters said California should require more training for gun purchasers, citing firearm safety and public health benefits. Opponents argued the bill would create burdensome costs, strain limited shooting range capacity, and improperly treat gun ownership like a licensed privilege rather than a constitutional right. The committee voted to pass AB 1187 as amended to Appropriations, with the measure held on call.
Rodriguez also presented AB 1424, aimed at improving climate resilience and emergency preparedness in state prisons by requiring temperature monitoring, more access to showers and fans during extreme heat, shade structures, and updated evacuation and response plans. Supporters described dangerous heat, wildfire, and flood conditions in prisons and said incarcerated people and workers need stronger protections. One opponent, while supporting the bill’s goals, objected to the cost of temperature monitoring systems. Committee members largely supported the measure, and after discussion the bill was moved with a motion and second, with the author emphasizing that the costs of monitoring and medical care are justified by the risks and potential liability.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
- I also want to note that we are actively working with the juvenile court judges, and I look forward to
- Prior to probation, I spent almost eight years in the Orange County Juvenile Hall.
- Despite following the rules to the point of a judge calling me a star of the juvenile court and prime
- That was our commitment last year, and we continue to have been. ...are in the juvenile justice system
- In regards to some of the juvenile really to mitigate future potential for re-offence.
Committee:
House Public Safety
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Public Safety Committee Jul 15th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- So in my backyard, I have one juvenile hall.
- Two weeks ago, we had juveniles who were on lockdown for five days straight, not being able to At juveniles
- Nidorf Juvenile Hall, remains unsuitable for the confinement of juveniles due to noncompliance, including
- As pointed out in the prior testimony, the juvenile court and juvenile probation are entirely intertwined
- County juvenile probation officers.
Summary:
The committee heard several public safety measures, with extensive testimony on firearms regulation, disability and sexual assault, mental health diversion, emergency response, and law enforcement masking. SB 704 by Senator Arreguín would require firearm barrels to be purchased through licensed dealers with a background check, as a response to the rise in ghost guns and 3D-printed firearms; supporters said barrels are a key component of untraceable guns, while opponents argued the bill burdens lawful gun owners and does little to stop criminals. SB 258 by Senator Wahab would eliminate the remaining spousal rape exception for victims unable to consent because of disability; supporters called it a needed closure of an archaic loophole, while disability-rights advocates opposed it unless amended, warning it could worsen misunderstandings about capacity to consent and harm disabled people’s autonomy. After debate, SB 258 passed the committee on a due-pass motion to Appropriations, with several members voting aye and the bill held on call.
Senator Umberg presented SB 398, which closes a loophole in the law prohibiting paying or offering money or other value to induce someone to vote or register to vote; there was little opposition, and the bill passed on a due-pass motion to Appropriations and was held on call. He also presented SB 27, a CARE Court cleanup measure that would allow certain misdemeanor defendants found incompetent to stand trial to be routed into CARE Court and would expand eligibility to some people with mood disorders with psychotic features. Supporters said it would improve access to treatment and reduce unnecessary incarceration, while county behavioral health directors and disability advocates warned it could blur the line between voluntary civil treatment and coercive criminal proceedings and expand CARE Court beyond its intended scope. SB 27 passed on a due-pass motion as amended to Appropriations.
The committee also heard SB 36 from Senator Umberg, a price-gouging measure tied to wildfire-related emergency conditions that also expands search-warrant authority for certain misdemeanor investigations. Public defenders opposed the search-warrant expansion as unnecessary, while a late supporter from the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office spoke in favor; the bill was moved on a due-pass motion as amended to Appropriations and held on call. SB 571 by Senator Arreguín would increase penalties for impersonating emergency personnel and related conduct during disasters; supporters cited post-fire looting and impersonation, while opponents argued longer sentences do not deter crime and that existing law is sufficient. The bill passed on a due-pass motion as amended to Appropriations and was held on call.
Finally, Senator Wiener presented SB 627, which would prohibit law enforcement from wearing extreme masks except in limited circumstances, aimed largely at masked federal immigration enforcement operations. Supporters said masked, unidentified officers create fear and undermine trust, while law enforcement groups argued the bill wrongly sweeps in local officers, is too broad, and should instead target federal agents or impersonators. Testimony was still underway when the transcript ended, and no final committee action on SB 627 is shown here.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- Senators, we will now move to Tab 13, Senate Bill 1734 on Juvenile Justice.
- Basically, this is a juvenile justice bill that deals with juvenile probation officers and juvenile detention
- Christian Minor is from the Florida Juvenile Justice Association, waiving in support.
- Chris Claibran from the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice waiving in support.
- Claiborne from the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice waiving in support.
Committee:
Senate Fiscal Policy
Summary:
The Committee on Fiscal Policy met and reported a series of bills favorably, covering health care, public safety, insurance, coastal resilience, juvenile justice, drowning prevention, transportation designations, and beach management. Senator Harrell presented CS/SB 68, requiring hospitals with emergency departments to adopt pediatric emergency care policies, training, designated pediatric readiness personnel, and participation in a national readiness assessment; it passed. Harrell also presented CS/SB 340, requiring nursing students to complete two hours of human trafficking identification training before licensure; it also passed. Senator Sharif’s CS/SB 32 and SB 210, creating a new injunction for protection against serious violence by a known person and the related public records bill, were both reported favorably. Senator Garcia’s CS/CS/SB 302 on nature-based coastal resiliency, Senator Jones’s SB 418 on law enforcement interaction with individuals with autism and the Blue Envelope Program, and Senator Martin’s CS/SB 1734 updating juvenile probation and detention officer definitions and related cost-share language were also approved.
The committee then took up several drowning-prevention measures. CS/SB 606 by Senator Smith would add drowning prevention and safe bathing education to postpartum materials and direct the Department of Health to create standardized materials; an amendment removed a records-retention requirement, and the bill passed. SB 428 by Senator Yarborough would expand the state swim lesson voucher program from children ages 0-4 to ages 1-7; it received strong support from advocates, including a young swim instructor and autism advocates, and passed. The committee also approved CS/SB 246, a specialty license plate bill that was amended to include the UFC plate and a First Responders’ Resiliency Foundation plate, and CS/SB 1028, which revises Citizens Property Insurance and clearinghouse procedures to prioritize admitted carriers and prohibit public funds for the clearinghouse; that bill drew discussion about market competition, Citizens’ exposure, and potential impacts on policyholders.
Additional measures reported favorably included SB 628, designating a portion of South Navy Boulevard in Pensacola as Warrior Sacrifice Way to honor the sailors killed in the 2019 Naval Air Station Pensacola attack, and CS/SB 636 on beach management, which would create a proactive pathway for coastal communities to obtain erosion-related designations and align with federal programs. Beach industry testimony supported the bill’s intent but raised concerns about perpetual easements and funding shortfalls. At the end of the meeting, members recorded additional votes on selected bills, and the committee adjourned.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Courts, Corrections and Justice Sep 23rd, 2025
Courts, Corrections & Justice Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- juvenile court to criminal court in a subset of cases.
- Some of this is more focused on the juvenile side of the coin.
- Re-entry programming for juveniles who were waived from juvenile to criminal court, received criminal
- Oh, the primary provider at the juvenile detention center.
- It has to do with competency in juveniles.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Rules Committee Jan 28th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- We have the authority for juvenile facilities.
- We found two of the facilities, two of the juvenile halls, as unsuitable in 2023.
- The juvenile bench has been re-engaged.
- with policymakers and facility managers in the juvenile regulations revisions process.
- facilities. ...in order to, again, improve the conditions in the juvenile facilities.
Summary:
The Senate Committee on Rules met with quorum and first approved several governor’s appointments not required to appear, including Deborah Garns, Davis Rabbit, Cindy Silva, Vincent Wells, and Lee Herrick as California Poet Laureate, all by 5-0 votes. The committee also approved reference of bills to committees and floor acknowledgments, each by 5-0 vote, before moving to appointments required to appear.
Trista Gonzalez, nominated to lead the Department of Tax and Fee Administration, testified about her 33-year career in tax administration and emphasized taxpayer service, efficiency, and team culture. Members asked about responsiveness to legislators, the lithium extraction tax, online sales tax compliance after Wayfair, and enforcement against illicit cigarette, tobacco, and cannabis activity. Gonzalez said the department is ready for the lithium tax, works to register businesses meeting the $500,000 threshold, and coordinates with law enforcement on inspections and seizures. Public commenters from Ryan LLC and the California Society of Enrolled Agents supported her confirmation. The committee voted 5-0 to send her nomination to the full Senate.
Aaron McGuire, nominated as executive director of the Board of State and Community Corrections, described his experience at the agency and its expanded responsibilities, including annual detention facility inspections, major grant administration, and the new in-custody death review division. Senators questioned him about grant oversight, fraud prevention, public access to audits, implementation of SB 519, and conditions in local detention facilities, especially in Los Angeles County juvenile facilities. McGuire said the board uses screening, reporting, site visits, audits, and recovery actions to monitor grants, and that trailer bill language has clarified access to records for in-custody death reviews. He also said staffing shortages remain a major issue in Los Angeles juvenile facilities and that the board continues to work with the courts and local officials. Supporters from Amity Foundation, Health Right 360, Westcare, and Giffords testified in favor, and the committee approved his nomination 5-0 to advance to the full Senate.
FL
Florida 2026 4th Special Session
February 5, 2026 - 12:30 PM
Transcript Highlights:
- Chris Claiborne, Florida Department of Juvenile Justice, waves in support.
- last today, Representative Cobb, I gather from her desk, you're recognized to present H.B. 1153, Juvenile
- Today, I'm presenting HB 1153, which is juvenile justice, and the bill does the following.
- It amends the definition of officer to include juvenile probation officers and juvenile detention officers
- This is just a technical change to our definition of juvenile probation and juvenile detention officers
ID
Idaho 2026 Regular Session
Mar 6th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- And we’re at the Department of Juvenile Corrections. They can be found in the LBB on page 3-67.
- The Department of Juvenile Corrections is responsible for all juvenile offenders committed to it by the
- The Department of Juvenile Corrections is responsible for all juvenile offenders committed to it by the
- This is $939,000 from the State Juvenile Correction Center Endowment Income Fund.
- That’s $1,035,800 from the State Juvenile Correction Center Endowment Income Fund.
Summary:
The Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee met to consider several Department of Health and Welfare Medicaid items, Idaho State Police budgets, the Department of Juvenile Corrections, and the Department of Administration and Military Division. The committee first approved a FY 2026 Medicaid forecast supplemental, then approved a budget-neutral FY 2026 hospital assessment fund shift and creation of a separate hospital assessment budgeted program. For FY 2027 Medicaid, members heard extensive discussion of MMIS procurement, estate recovery, program integrity, purchasing staff, hospital assessment alignment, population forecast adjustments, and proposed reductions tied to provider rates and RESHAB. After debate among three competing motions, the committee rejected two alternatives and passed the original motion, which included the governor’s recommended Medicaid adjustments and the $22 million reduction concept, sending it with a do pass recommendation.
The committee then approved Idaho State Police Brand Inspection replacement items for trucks and equipment, as well as Idaho State Police division requests for a commercial vehicle safety grant increase, a mobile live scan pilot, and replacement patrol vehicles and equipment. POST Academy replacement items were also approved. For the Department of Juvenile Corrections, members approved clinician service transfer funding from Health and Welfare, replacement items, IT hardware, and restoration of six FTPs and related funding for direct care staff and substance use disorder mentoring services.
In the Department of Administration budget, the committee debated Medicaid procurement staffing and related transfers. A substitute motion to fund three FTPs failed, and the committee ultimately approved a compromise motion funding two FTPs, utilities alignment, program transfers, inflationary utilities, IT hardware, and a prior rescission adjustment. The Military Division enhancement request for indirect cost recovery for emergency management and state education assistance funding was also approved. The committee adjourned after announcing its Monday agenda, which included DEQ, public school support and financing, services for the deaf and blind, Idaho Digital Learning Academy, the State Board of Education, and the Department of Education.
LA
Transcript Highlights:
- The next department that we will cover is the Office of Juvenile Justice.
- To stick to the topic of juvenile costs, OJJ makes up 16.9%, and local housing of juvenile offenders
- I'm the current Deputy Secretary for the Office of Juvenile Justice.
- Can you elaborate more on this program, the juvenile electronic monitoring program?
- So I do understand juvenile justice specialist is a hard thing to retain.
Committee:
House Appropriations
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Commission on Race and Access to Opportunity (11-12-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> that would be known as a juvenile that would be known as a juvenile justice<00:23:30.920><c> fund
- </c><00:25:54.520><c> Detention</c> for McCracken County Juvenile Detention for McCracken County Juvenile
- And some people may well say, well, suicide and juvenile justice?
- </c><00:28:20.160><c> When</c><00:28:20.240><c> you</c> suicide and juvenile justice?
- When you suicide and juvenile justice?
Summary:
The Commission on Race and Access to Opportunity met and first heard a presentation from Johnny Cole III, president and CEO of the African American Forum in Lexington. Cole described the organization’s 30-plus year history, its signature events and programs, and its mission to promote African American arts, culture, education, and community development. He said the group has reached more than 60,000 people through events and more than 90,000 students through its arts partnership work, and estimated its programs have generated about $4.5 million in local economic impact. He also outlined a proposed legacy project in Lexington’s First Council District that would include a facility, culinary kitchen, food court, mobile truck, and expanded communications and internship opportunities, and said the organization was seeking a $3 million state request to help purchase a building and expand its mission.
The committee then discussed a juvenile justice funding proposal presented by Senator Catoria Herring. Herring said the bill would create a juvenile justice fund for prevention, early intervention, alternatives to detention, re-entry, and wraparound services, with money coming from state appropriations, gifts, grants, and federal funds. She said the proposal was based on her experience in juvenile justice and on concerns that the state has invested heavily in detention facilities but not enough in upstream services. She cited recent facility spending and said the bill would seek $9 million. Members asked how the fund would work, who could apply, and how it would be overseen; Herring said she envisioned a grant program open to local governments, law enforcement, nonprofits, and school districts, with reporting requirements and oversight through the juvenile justice system. No vote was taken, and the discussion ended with general support and a suggestion to adjust the request amount to a round $9 million figure.
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- This is juvenile records.
- Juvenile records are already exempt, but this is protecting processes and procedures.
- We've added the Department of Juvenile Corrections.
- The other changes that are made are on page two, on line two, where we've added the word juvenile, and
- then on pages four and five, where we have also added juvenile corrections.
Committee:
House Judiciary, Rules and Administration
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- The Juvenile Justice Committee heard this and there was a change with regard to the penalties, and the
- Committee on Juvenile Justice recognizes Chairman Cook to explain the bill.
- court to transfer a juvenile to the appropriate district or criminal district court if the juvenile
- The authority to access juvenile case information for the purpose of appointing assigned counsel for
- juvenile defendants.
Bills:
HB867 , HB1347 , HB1801 , HB1820 , HB2197 , HB2617 , HB3110 , HB3166 , HB3330 , HB4237 , HB4342 , HB4629 , HB4933 , HJR148
Committee:
House Criminal Jurisprudence
Keywords:
criminal case dismissal, attorney discretion, law enforcement misconduct, judicial approval, evidence, judicial consent, transparency, healthcare, Medicare, insurance, elderly, retired, benefits, access, cost, criminal justice, case dismissal, prosecutorial discretion, law enforcement oversight, criminal procedure
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Human Services Jan 13th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- kept in juvenile jurisdiction.
- Later, as a teenager, I was sexually abused in the juvenile rehabilitation system at Green Hill.”
- “Later, as a teenager, I was sexually abused in the juvenile rehabilitation system at Green Hill.
- We're recognizing that that behavior, that behavior is a juvenile.
- In 2014, we recognized the mistake of imposing life sentences for juveniles.
Summary:
The committee began with a Department of Corrections update focused on agency culture, staff safety, reentry, and health services. Secretary Tim Lang highlighted DOC’s “Washington Way” approach, expanded visitation reforms, safety summits, community-corrections sanction changes, education and transportation improvements, partial confinement expansion, and efforts to increase volunteer and peer-led programming. Assistant Secretaries Danielle Armbruster and David Flynn described progress on Pell Grant implementation, reentry transportation, partial confinement, behavioral health standards, HIPAA compliance, the 1115 Medicaid waiver, telehealth expansion, and budget requests for opioid use disorder treatment, close-custody capacity, and staffing relief. Members asked about veterans’ units, telehealth for substance use treatment, women’s placement on the east side, correctional industries, and firefighting training.
The new Office of Correction Ombuds director, Jeremiah Bourgeois, then outlined the office’s mission and limited resources, saying he would focus on the most serious complaints and continue building accountability with DOC. He described recent OCO reports, including findings of excessive force at the women’s prison, and said DOC had agreed to implement all recommendations. He also noted a new process for referring possible criminal misconduct to DOC leadership and law enforcement. Committee members praised the DOC-OCO partnership and Bourgeois’s appointment.
The committee then heard Senate Bill 5895, which would add a new basis for extraordinary medical placement when DOC cannot meet an incarcerated person’s basic medical care needs. Senator Saldana said the bill is intended to provide a compassionate, workable path for people with serious or end-of-life medical needs while maintaining public safety. Testifiers in support included family members, Disability Rights Washington, and the League of Women Voters, who said the current EMP process is too restrictive and rarely results in release. DOC testified that it supports the EMP framework but has concerns about the bill’s definition of “basic medical care.” A former DOC physician suggested extending the qualifying time period and adding “approximately” to the language.
The committee also heard Senate Bill 5873, which would expand escorted leaves of absence to include reentry-focused outings and broaden the family definition for funeral or bedside visits. Senator Wilson said the bill is meant to support a “slow release” and better prepare people for community reentry. DOC supported the concept, and witnesses from public defense, DOC reentry, and Amend said escorted reentry outings are consistent with evidence-based and international correctional practices. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 5945, which would limit persistent offender sentencing to convictions occurring after age 18 and require resentencing for affected people. Supporters argued the bill aligns with youth brain-development research and would address racial disparities; opponents, including prosecutors, victim advocates, and sheriffs’ representatives, said it would reopen painful cases, undermine finality, and impose costs. The hearing on that bill was still underway when the transcript ended.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- records for the Subcommittee on Juvenile Justice.
- and nondisclosure of certain juvenile records for the Subcommittee on Juvenile Justice.
- for the Subcommittee on Juvenile Justice.
- cases referred the subcommittee on juvenile Justice.
- HB 31 by Thompson relating to procedures related to the juvenile justice.
VA
Transcript Highlights:
- The conference report relates to the Virginia Parole Board, powers and duties, juvenile offenders, and
- With the conference report, we clarified the definition of child, minor, and juvenile to make sure it
- With the conference report, we clarified the definition of child, minor, and juvenile to make sure it
- Nominations are now in order for judges of the juvenile and domestic relations district courts.
- For the juvenile and domestic relations district courts, as noted in House Resolution 485, for terms
FL
Florida 2026 5th Special Session
Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice Jan 14th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Detention Center, and juvenile facilities security enhancements and maintenance.
- Detention Center, and juvenile facilities security enhancements and maintenance.
- Our juvenile detention officers are expected to meet a professional uniform standard.
- Broward Juvenile Detention Center, $41.3 million.
- I really like the Broward Juvenile Detention Center.
Summary:
The committee received a presentation on the Governor’s fiscal year 2026-2027 public safety budget, which totals $8.2 billion for the public safety silo and includes funding for the Departments of Law Enforcement, Juvenile Justice, and Corrections, along with courts and legal affairs. The Governor’s Office highlighted recurring reductions and vacancy eliminations, while agency heads outlined their major requests: FDLE sought funding for fentanyl enforcement, career offender registry staffing, alert-system upgrades, alcohol testing modernization, officer wellness, criminal intelligence, and immigration-related intelligence work; DJJ requested money for the Florida Scholars Academy, uniforms, residential services, a new Broward detention center, and facility maintenance; and DOC requested major increases for officer pay, additional staff, facility construction and maintenance, communications upgrades, inmate health care, pharmaceuticals, and food service. Members questioned FDLE about immigration enforcement and public records burdens, and DOC about staffing, capacity, mental health services, contraband, housing, and whether prison beds were being used for immigration detainees. Public testimony also urged better prison conditions and basic necessities for incarcerated people.
The committee then took up and reported favorably CS/SB 156, the Jason Rayner Act, which would strengthen penalties and clarify that a person may not resist an officer with violence when the officer is performing official duties. An amendment conforming the bill to House language was adopted, and the bill passed with Senator Smith voting no. The committee also adopted an amendment and reported favorably CS/SB 54, which concerns use of substances affecting cognitive function and limits certain medical-record disclosures to information relevant to investigations of violent offenders; Senator Smith voted no on that measure as well.
Next, the committee considered Senator Berman’s bills on domestic and dating violence. CS/SB 296 would direct a study of a secure web-based alert platform for victims, including a discreet phone-number/code system and geolocation support, and would expand the Address Confidentiality Program to dating-violence victims. The bill drew emotional support testimony from survivors and advocates describing the dangers victims face when trying to leave abusive situations, and it was reported favorably. Its companion, CS/SB 298, would extend public-records protections in the Address Confidentiality Program to dating-violence victims; it was also reported favorably. The committee then adjourned.