Kansas juvenile justice reform bill advances to governor’s desk
More than a year in the making, a sweeping overhaul of the state’s juvenile justice system went to the governor’s desk Thursday with a unanimous vote in the state Senate.
Earlier, Senate Bill 367 won approval 118-5 in the House.
The bill is designed to shift the juvenile justice system away from incarceration and use some of the cost savings to boost community-based programs intended to help young offenders turn their lives around.
All Kansans will have better lives because this bill will, without doubt, enhance and improve public safety.
Rep. John Rubin
R-ShawneeThe final bill was the result of months of research, analysis and argument across both houses.
The representative who led the fight for reform, Rep. John Rubin, R-Shawnee, nearly quit the Legislature a week ago when House Speaker Ray Merrick fired him as chairman of the Corrections and Juvenile Justice Committee over an unrelated floor dispute.
But Rubin decided to stick it out to see SB 367 through to final passage. On Thursday, he thanked his colleagues for sending it to the governor with overwhelming support.
Juvenile offenders “will have better lives, better opportunities and a better chance to succeed as adults because of the work we together have done on this bill,” Rubin said. “And all Kansans will have better lives because this bill will, without doubt, enhance and improve public safety.”
The bill was a rare exception in the hyperpartisan atmosphere that has reigned under the Capitol dome for years – a major piece of legislation strongly supported on both sides.
It has something for everyone: It is expected to save the state money – an estimated $72 million over five years. And it replaces juvenile jail with programs to provide treatment to try to cure underlying issues such as substance abuse or inappropriate sexual behavior.
I think it’s going to help out a lot of young people.
Sen. Oletha Faust-Goudeau
D-Wichita“It was a difficult task to start with,” said Sen. Dan Kerschen, R-Garden Plain. “But everyone was pretty consistent that (the final bill) was a good one and that we’re going in the right direction.”
“I think that was one of the best things the Legislature did all session,” said Sen. Oletha Faust-Goudeau, D-Wichita, who seldom agrees with Kerschen on major legislation. “Getting that money directly to where it needs to be (community programs) is great. I think it’s going to help out a lot of young people.”
Dion Lefler: 316-268-6527, @DionKansas
Juvenile justice overhaul
Key points in Senate Bill 367, approved by both chambers of the Kansas Legislature on Thursday:
▪ Reduces reliance on juvenile detention as a primary means of addressing criminal behavior by minors.
▪ Shifts funding now spent on residential detention to community-based treatment and counseling programs designed to address issues underlying criminal behavior.
▪ Sets new time limits on sentences, probation periods and total length of cases involving juvenile offenders.
▪ Creates a system of graduated responses for youth offenders who commit technical violations of conditions of probation.
▪ Requires a written plan for juvenile offenders to aid their re-entry to the community after incarceration.
▪ Creates a 19-member juvenile justice oversight committee.
▪ Requires semi-annual training for juvenile justice workers.
This story was originally published March 24, 2016 at 7:09 PM with the headline "Kansas juvenile justice reform bill advances to governor’s desk."