ALEXANDRIA, Va., (Sept. 15,
2016)—Yesterday, the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on
Education and the Workforce passed the Supporting Youth Opportunity and
Preventing Delinquency Act, which would reauthorize the Juvenile Justice and
Delinquency Prevention Act (JJDPA) and strengthen the nation’s juvenile justice
system. The JJDPA was originally signed into law in 1974 and has been due for
reauthorization since 2007.
“Reauthorization of the JJDPA is long overdue. Improvements need to be made to the law
to prevent children and youth from entering the juvenile
justice system and to better protect those currently in the system,” said Laura
Bay, president of National PTA. “National PTA applauds
the House Committee on Education and the Workforce and the leadership of Representatives
Carlos Curbelo (R-FL) and Bobby Scott (D-VA) for passing the Supporting Youth Opportunity and Preventing
Delinquency Act. We
commend their bipartisan commitment to ensuring
greater support, opportunities and alternatives to incarceration for our
nation’s youth.”
The
Supporting Youth Opportunity
and Preventing Delinquency Act would improve current law by:
·
Incorporating
family and community-based services and alternatives to incarceration
·
Keeping
detained youth separate from adults while they are awaiting trial
·
Phasing out
exemptions that allow youth detainment for minor offenses
·
Ensuring the
continuity of children’s education while detained and a smooth transition back
into the classroom after
·
Encouraging
states to use data and implement strategies to reduce racial and ethnic
disparities among youth in the juvenile justice system
“Since 1899, National PTA has
advocated for policies that prevent juvenile delinquency, protect children and
youth who come into contact with the juvenile justice system, and provide youth
in the system with services to help them become productive members of society,”
added Nathan R. Monell, CAE, National PTA executive director. “National PTA is
encouraged by the action today in the House, as well as that of the Senate
Judiciary Committee, which passed a similar bill in July 2015. It is critical
that Congress sign a strong JJDPA reauthorization bill into law this year that enhances protections for youth and helps every child reach his or her full potential.”
About National PTA
National
PTA® comprises millions of families, students, teachers, administrators,
and business and community leaders devoted to the educational success of
children and the promotion of family engagement in schools. PTA is a registered
501(c)(3) nonprofit association that prides itself on being a powerful voice
for all children, a relevant resource for families and communities, and a
strong advocate for public education. Membership in PTA is open to anyone who
wants to be involved and make a difference for the education, health and
welfare of children and youth.
About
Washington State PTA
Founded in 1905, the Washington
Congress of Parents and Teachers, better known as the Washington State PTA, is the largest
volunteer organization in the state, with more than 132,000 members in more
than 875 local PTAs across the state.
Help Washington State PTA speak
up for kids. Each year, the association selects its legislative priorities, and
hearing from you is a valuable step in the process. Your responses will assist
voting delegates in setting the 2016-17 legislative platform. Take the survey here. Survey closes Thursday,
October 6 at 12:15pm. Proposed issues include Restorative Justice and School
Safety and Engaging Families in Student Success. Learn more here.
