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HB 814

Department of Juvenile Services - Report on Youth Service Bureaus

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Kym Taylor

Maryland's DJS must report on statewide Youth Service Bureau operations, funding, and outcomes to evaluate community prevention programs for at-risk youth.

Approved by the Governor - Chapter 576
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Bill Summary · HB 814

Legislative bill overview

HB 814 requires Maryland's Department of Juvenile Services to compile and submit a comprehensive report on Youth Service Bureaus (YSBs) operating within the state. The report must detail the current status, operations, funding, and effectiveness of these community-based programs that serve at-risk youth and provide alternatives to formal juvenile justice involvement.

Why is this important

Youth Service Bureaus are prevention-focused programs designed to divert young people from the juvenile justice system through counseling, mentoring, and community engagement. This reporting requirement creates accountability and transparency around how these programs operate statewide, which can inform policy decisions about resource allocation and program improvement in youth services.

Potential points of contention

  • Reporting burden and cost: Compiling comprehensive data on multiple YSBs across the state requires staff time and resources that could otherwise fund direct services to youth
  • Standardization gaps: Different YSBs may track metrics differently, making statewide comparison difficult and potentially creating incomplete or inconsistent data
  • Follow-up action uncertainty: The bill mandates reporting but doesn't specify what happens with the findings or whether recommendations for changes will be mandatory versus optional

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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