15A.063 Juvenile Justice Oversight Council -- Purpose -- Membership -- Duties --
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/ky/15a-063A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.
Attachment to Legislative Research Commission. (Effective until January 1,
2027)
(1)The Juvenile Justice Oversight Council is created for the purpose of providing
independent review of the state juvenile justice system and providing
recommendations to the General Assembly. The council shall actively review the
implementation of all juvenile justice reforms enacted by the General Assembly,
collect and review performance measurement data, and continue to review the
juvenile justice system for changes that improve public safety, hold youth
accountable, provide better outcomes for children and families, and control juvenile
justice costs.
(a)The membership of the council shall include the following:
1. The secretary of the Justice and Public Safety Cabinet, ex officio;
2. The commissioner of the Department for Behavioral Health,
Developmental and Intellectual Disabilities, ex officio;
3. The commissioner of the Department for Community Based Services, ex
officio;
4. The commissioner of the Department of Juvenile Justice, ex officio;
5. The commissioner of the Department of Education, ex officio;
6. The director of the Administrative Office of the Courts, ex officio;
7. The Public Advocate, ex officio;
8. The Senate chair of the Committee on Judiciary, nonvoting ex officio;
9. The House chair of the Committee on Judiciary, nonvoting ex officio;
10. One
(1)member of the Senate appointed by the President of the Senate,
and one
(1)member of the minority party in the Senate appointed by the
Minority Floor Leader in the Senate, who shall serve as ex officio,
nonvoting members for the duration of the terms for which they were
elected;
11. One
(1)member of the House of Representatives appointed by the
Speaker of the House of Representatives, and one
(1)member of the
minority party in the House of Representatives appointed by the
Minority Floor Leader in the House of Representatives, who shall serve
as ex officio, nonvoting members for the duration of the terms for which
they were elected; and
12. Five
(5)at-large members appointed by the Governor, as follows:
a. One
(1)member representing public schools or an education group
or organization;
b. One
(1)District Judge nominated by the Chief Justice of the
Kentucky Supreme Court;
c. One
(1)member representing law enforcement;
d. One
(1)member of the County Attorneys' Association nominated
by the Attorney General; and
e. One
(1)member representing community-based organizations,
whether for-profit or nonprofit, with experience in programs for
juveniles, including substance abuse prevention and treatment,
case management, mental health, or counseling.
(b)The chairs of the House and Senate Judiciary Committees shall serve as co-
chairs.
(c)At-large members shall be appointed by August 1, 2022, shall serve a term of
two
(2)years, and may be reappointed.
(d)Each ex officio member, except for legislative members, may designate a
proxy by written notice to the council prior to call of order of each meeting,
and the proxy shall be entitled to participate as a full voting member.
(e)Except as otherwise provided by law, members shall not be compensated for
being members of the council but shall be reimbursed for ordinary travel
expenses, including meals and lodging, incurred while performing council
business.
(f)The council shall meet at least quarterly. A quorum, consisting of a majority
of the membership of the council, shall be required for the transaction of
business. Meetings shall be held at the call of the chair, or upon the written
request of two
(2)members to the chair.
(3)The council shall:
(a)Review the implementation of the reforms enacted by the General Assembly;
(b)Review performance measures and recommend modifications;
(c)Review all policies to confirm implementation as established by legislation
enacted by the General Assembly and administrative regulations promulgated
thereunder;
(d)Review the fiscal incentive program established pursuant to KRS 15A.062;
(e)Collect and review performance data and recommend any additional
performance measures needed to identify outcomes in the juvenile justice
system;
(f)Review the information received from the Department of Education pursuant
to KRS 156.095, and determine whether any action is necessary, including
additional performance measures, funding, or legislation;
(g)Continue review of juvenile justice areas determined appropriate by the
council, including:
1. Status offense reform;
2. Necessary training for school resource officers as defined in KRS
158.441, in juvenile justice best practices, research, and impacts on
recidivism and long-term outcomes;
3. Graduated sanctions protocols in public schools, including their current
use and their development statewide;
4. A minimum age of criminal responsibility;
5. Competency;
6. Reforms to the family resource and youth service centers in the Cabinet
for Health and Family Services;
7. Population levels in Department of Juvenile Justice facilities, and the
potential for closure of facilities while maintaining staffing ratios
necessary to comply with applicable accreditation standards; and
8. Whether juvenile court hearings should be open to the public;
(h)Review and make recommendations regarding:
1. The structure and staffing of the Department of Juvenile Justice;
2. Training of juvenile justice staff;
3. The adequacy of current programs and facilities operated by the
Department of Juvenile Justice;
4. Best practices in juvenile justice programs and facilities; and
5. Other topics as determined by the council; and
(i)Report by December 1, 2023, and by December 1 of each year thereafter, to
the Interim Joint Committee on Judiciary and the Governor and make
recommendations to the General Assembly for any additional legislative
changes the council determines appropriate.
(4)The council shall be attached to the Legislative Research Commission for
administrative purposes.
(5)The council shall terminate on July 1, 2030, unless the General Assembly extends
the term of the council.