WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

SB 21

DJJ; transfer of responsibility to Secretary of Health and Human Resources.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Mamie Locke

SB 21 transfers Virginia's Department of Juvenile Justice operations to the Secretary of Health and Human Resources, restructuring juvenile justice administration under health services leadership.

Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB21)
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SB 21

Legislative bill overview

SB 21 proposes transferring operational responsibility for the Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) from its current administrative structure to the Secretary of Health and Human Resources. This restructuring would consolidate juvenile justice administration under health and human services leadership rather than maintaining it as a separate entity or other departmental alignment.

Why is this important

Juvenile justice administration directly affects how the state handles detention, rehabilitation, and services for minors in the criminal justice system. This organizational change could influence funding priorities, policy coordination with social services, healthcare access for incarcerated youth, and the overall approach to rehabilitation versus punishment in juvenile facilities.

Potential points of contention

  • Departmental expertise alignment: Whether health and human resources leadership has sufficient juvenile justice expertise, versus concerns that social services orientation might deprioritize public safety or security concerns
  • Funding and resource allocation: Questions about whether moving DJJ changes budget priorities or creates competition with other health/human services programs for limited resources
  • Operational continuity and facility management: Concerns about transition costs, staff retention, and whether security operations will be adequately maintained during administrative reorganization

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

Sign in to ask a question.