2014 HB 151 proposes to expand number of juveniles under supervision

jonesHB 151, sponsored by Delegate Jones, proposes to expand the Department of Juvenile Services (DJS) Child in Need of Supervision Pilot Program.  At present, this program is in five, “pilot communities”:  Baltimore City; Baltimore County, Prince Georges County; Cecil County; Montgomery County.  This bill will increase the number of counties in the program by two per year, until all counties are covered:

(I) BEGINNING JULY 1, 2014, THE SECRETARY OF JUVENILE SERVICES SHALL ESTABLISH A DEPARTMENT OF JUVENILE SERVICES CHILD IN NEED OF SUPERVISION PILOT PROGRAM IN TWO ADDITIONAL COUNTIES EACH YEAR UNTIL THE PILOT PROGRAM IS AVAILABLE IN EVERY COUNTY IN THE STATE.

If a juvenile is in this program, DJS may have access to records, including,

(i) Academic records;
(ii) Medical records; and
(iii) Psychiatric records;

And DJS workers will,

(1) Meet with a child referred to the provider and the child’s parents or guardians at least two and not more than six times to discuss the child’s:

(i) School performance;
(ii) Family interactions;
(iii) Relationships with peers; and
(iv) Emotional and physical health, including drug and alcohol use;

(3) Conduct an assessment of the child; and
(4) Establish a case plan and a case record for the provision of services to the child, including:

(i) Family counseling;
(ii) Educational advocacy;
(iii) Drug and alcohol counseling;
(iv) Sex education;
(v) After–school programs;
(vi) Truancy and dropout prevention;
(vii) Transitional living services;
(viii) Mediation services;
(ix) Employment and job training services;
(x) Alternative school placement; and
(xi) Drug and alcohol counseling for the parents, guardians, or other family members of the child.

Hearing 1/23 at 2:00 p.m.

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