New Juvenile Justice Bills Cut Costs, Curb Recidivism, and Protect Kids

It’s early afternoon, and you’re about to pick up your teenage son from school when you learn he’s been taken into custody for minor theft—and you were never notified. Suddenly, your son is missing school, stuck in custody until trial, and headed to an institutional facility with a criminal record. Your family faces financial strain navigating the juvenile system, and your child’s future is at risk—all over a minor first-time offense.

Sadly, this is the reality for many Pennsylvania kids and families. Current practices, such as out-of-home placements and high fees, fail to prevent reoffending, inflicting more harm and injustice.

But a series of evidence-based legislative reforms could transform Pennsylvania’s juvenile justice system. Moreover, these bills will save taxpayers’ dollars, reduce crime, and align statewide juvenile policies with adolescent developmental science. In Pennsylvania, state lawmakers are working on several bills to take necessary steps to enact effective, science-supported reforms.

On Sept. 22, the committee passed House Bill (HB) 728, sending it to the House floor for consideration.  HB 728 would establish a smoother re-entry process for the incarcerated, helping them obtain proper identification, driver’s licenses, and work permits before re-entry into our community. Ideally, this bill would reduce recidivism and ease reincorporation for juvenile offenders.

This week, the House Judiciary Committee is highlighting smart-on-crime reforms, especially those addressing juvenile offenders.

Often, juveniles lack quality legal representation. HB 1613, or the “Child Interrogation Protection Act,” would amend the juvenile court codes, requiring an attorney to be consulted and notifying parents or guardians when their child is taken into custody.

Fines and fees extend formal court involvement and increase the likelihood of family debt, school absence, and longer placements for the juvenile in custody. While families incur financial debt trying to help their children navigate the juvenile system, taxpayers must cover administrative fees that, in some instances, exceed the fees and fines the system collects. HB 1385 would eliminate fines and most court fees for juveniles, lowering the cost to their families—something that 17 other states have already codified.

Pennsylvania already houses several successful diversion programs that help youth improve their behavior before they are formally involved with the justice system. HB 144, titled “Expanding Diversion for Youth in the Juvenile Justice System,” proposes standardizing and expanding these effective practices statewide. Research demonstrates that diversion programs are a cheaper and more effective means to hold youth accountable for minor offenses and reduce recidivism.

These effective juvenile justice reforms will reduce costs for families and taxpayers, increase accountability for juveniles, yield positive results, and provide a genuine pathway to redemption for Pennsylvania youth. With these policies in place, Pennsylvania can be one step closer to protecting families, safeguarding communities, investing tax dollars effectively, and joining the nationwide movement toward a fair judicial system for American youth.