Maryland Leaders Introduce Juvenile Justice Bill to Increase Accountability

The legislation, crafted in response to a rise in juvenile crimes, aims to strengthen existing laws, close loopholes, and improve system-wide collaboration.

Maryland's Governor Wes Moore, House Speaker Adrienne A. Jones, and Senate President Bill Ferguson have introduced a bill aimed at increasing accountability in the state's juvenile justice system in response to a rise in certain crimes among juveniles.
The bill, largely crafted based on conversations with various stakeholders, seeks to strengthen existing laws, close loopholes, and improve accountability, rehabilitation, and collaboration in the juvenile justice system.
The legislation will require law enforcement to complete written statements when they take minors into custody, decrease the timeline for the Department of Juvenile Services to make intake decisions, and increase financial investments in the Thrive Academy.
The bill also proposes extending probation terms, allows the Department of Juvenile Services to intervene in cases where a child between 10 and 12 years of age commits a serious or violent crime, and requires police to write a report for any arrest involving a minor.
Despite some criticism that the bill goes too far in rolling back some protections for children, the high-ranking Democrats stand firmly behind the proposals, emphasizing the need for accountability for both those who commit crime and those who are taking care of young people.