The National Youth Justice Network (NYJN) has recently published their ‘2023 Youth Policy Advances’, a report which details a total of 99 policy changes in juvenile justice that were achieved in 2023, spanning 30 US states.
The report highlights a number of key advancements, including:
- Eight states passed legislation limiting or ending the imposition of juvenile court fines and fees.
- Seven states passed legislation expanding the ability of young people to expunge youth records (and some adult records) under certain circumstances.
- Six states passed legislation limiting the cases of young people in the adult justice system, from limiting the transfer of young people to the adult system or adult facilities, to conditions for youth who are tried as adults.
- Five states passed legislation focussed on mental health, from improving the mental health services available to young people in schools, in the community, and in the legal system, to diverting youth with mental health challenges.
- Four states passed legislation protecting young people from false statements made by law enforcement during interrogations.
- Four states passed legislation investing in resources for children and/or expanding community-based alternatives.
- Four states passed legislation addressing the school-to-prison pipeline.
- Three states passed legislation banning juvenile life without parole, which is now banned in 28 US states.
The report also highlights that a number of harmful bills were passed in 2023 in some states across the USA, including those which reduced the confidentiality of youth records, facilitated the process of filing delinquency petitions, provided for the suspension of children under the age of six and the permanent expulsion of children under the age of eight from school, and expanded provisions for the transfer of certain youth cases to adult courts.
However, the report celebrates that almost double the number of policy advancements were achieved in 2023 compared to 2022, and that progressive legislation was passed in states across the political spectrum.