Youth-offense data shared under bills

The House and Senate Judiciary committees both approved bills that would allow state officials to share some data on youth offenders.

Senate Bill 8 and its parallel legislation, House Bill 1013, would permit the Department of Human Services' Youth Services Division to release juvenile records to any person or group for the purpose of research.

The division would decide what person or group's research is relevant to policies or programs that advance juvenile justice issues in the state.

The director of court services for the Administrative Office of the Courts, Connie Tanner, said her group has been wanting to put together a better risk assessment tool for judges deciding whether offenders should be locked up or given alternative treatment.

The group also received a $500,000 grant to do so but, without this legislation, is unable to obtain the data on offenders necessary for developing the tool.

Both measures will go to the floor of their respective chambers.

Upcoming Events