Juvenile Justice New Language (language only)

Item 415 #1c

Language

Page 349, line 49, strike "and".

Page 349, line 50, strike "implement".

Page 349, line 52, after "centers" insert:

", consistent with public safety".

Page 350, line 1, after "programs." insert:

"Prior to implementation, the plan shall be approved by the Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security."

Page 350, after line 25, insert:

"C.1. There is hereby established a task force on juvenile correctional centers comprised of the Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security, and the Directors of the Departments of Juvenile Justice, Corrections, and Behavioral Health and Developmental Services, and the Office of Children's Services, or their designees.  The Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security shall chair the task force.  The task force shall present an interim report by November 1, 2016, and a final report by July 15, 2017, to the Governor, the Director of the Department of Planning and Budget, the Chairman of the Virginia Commission on Youth, and the Chairmen of the Senate Finance and House Appropriations Committees.

2.a. The task force shall consider the future capital and operational requirements for Virginia's juvenile correctional centers, including the construction of a new facility in the City of Chesapeake, for which planning was authorized by the 2016 General Assembly, and also including (i) the projected population of state-responsible juvenile offenders, including an assessment of the impact of the Department of Juvenile Justice's length of stay guidelines, (ii) the number of juveniles expected to be held in each facility, (iii) the level and type of mental health, medical, academic and vocational education, and other services to be provided, (iv) the design and size of spaces needed to accommodate the necessary services within state facilities, (v) the accommodation of the treatment needs of state-responsible  juvenile offenders with  diagnoses of serious mental or behavioral health issues, (vi) the appropriateness of alternative housing models, including cells and rooms (including both single and double-bunking), dormitories, cottages, and other housing configurations, (vii) the number and geographical location of facilities, and (viii) the potential for contracting for the use of space in existing local and regional secure detention facilities, group homes, and private residential facilities.

b. The task force shall identify existing juvenile correctional centers, including facilities which are not currently operational, and other property currently owned by state agencies, and consider the extent to which the recommendations developed pursuant to Paragraph C.2.a. of this item may be accommodated within  such properties, along with the costs of construction or renovation of existing facilities to accommodate these recommendations.  The  task force shall conduct a cost-benefit analysis  to compare the potential revenues realized from the sale of existing real property owned by state agencies, with the projected replacement costs which would be incurred  to provide replacement facilities, should existing properties be sold.  This analysis should include an assessment of the impact of locational factors on expected program outcomes and on the objective of maintaining the juvenile offenders' relationships with their families and communities.

c. In evaluating these alternatives, the task force shall give consideration to and report on the estimated costs of construction, operation and maintenance of facilities, and the potential impact of these alternatives to the outcomes for state-responsible juvenile offenders, including recidivism.  The task force shall also give consideration to the projected requirements for state funding for local and regional secure detention facilities, and alternatives to detention, including but not limited to, the Virginia Juvenile Community Crime Control Act.

3. The Department of General Services and all other agencies of the Commonwealth shall provide technical assistance upon request of the task force.  The task force shall include input from judges, attorneys for the Commonwealth, law enforcement, local government, private providers, and other stakeholders as appropriate.

4. The Director, Department of Juvenile Justice, is authorized to procure such consultant or other services as necessary to conduct  the task force's review.  The Director is authorized to use funds identified in Paragraph A of this item for such purposes."