Bill
HJ 23
Authorizes an interim study of youth court laws to review how juvenile justice rules function and identify needed statutory, programmatic, or administrative reforms.
Status snapshot
- Bill type: Joint resolution (HJ 23)
- Sponsor: Representative James Reavis (primary)
- Introduced: January 23, 2025
- Final procedural status: Adopted by the Legislature (passed both chambers, signed by Senate President and House Speaker) and filed with the Secretary of State on May 6, 2025.
- Replaces: LC 1587
Purpose and intent
- HJ 23 authorizes an interim legislative study concerning "youth court laws" (juvenile justice/juvenile court statutes and related processes). The resolution directs legislative attention to how laws and procedures governing minors in the court system are functioning and whether statutory changes, policy reforms, or administrative improvements are advisable.
Key provisions (as reflected in available legislative record)
- Establishes an interim study on youth court laws to be undertaken in the interim between legislative sessions.
- Assigns the matter to the appropriate legislative body/committee for study activity (the bill file shows referral to the Joint Committee on Government Administration and Elections and consideration by House and Senate Judiciary committees).
- Directs the study to be conducted through committee hearings, information gathering, and deliberation (the legislative record documents hearings in the House and Senate Judiciary committees).
- Requires committee consideration and likely a report back to the Legislature (typical for interim study resolutions). The legislative record does not list a statutory reporting deadline or an explicit required deliverable in the bill text available in this summary.
Who would be affected
- Primary: lawmakers and legislative committees responsible for juvenile justice policy.
- Secondary/stakeholders: juvenile and family courts, prosecutors and public defenders, county juvenile services and probation officers, youth-service and advocacy organizations, law enforcement, schools, and families of minors involved in the court system.
- Indirectly affected: taxpayers and local government agencies that administer juvenile justice programs if recommendations lead to statutory or budgetary changes.
Procedural and timeline notes
- Key legislative actions: introduced Jan 23, 2025; House committee hearings March 24 and April 1 (H. Judiciary); House passed on 3rd reading April 16; transmitted to Senate April 16; Senate Judiciary hearing Apr 22; Senate committee concurred Apr 24; Senate concurrence on 3rd reading Apr 29; enrolled and signed by chamber leaders Apr 29–May 6; filed with Secretary of State May 6, 2025.
- The resolution is now in effect as an authorization for an interim study; the exact schedule for committee meetings, public hearings, and report submission should be available from the assigned committee (Joint Committee on Government Administration and Elections) or legislative session calendar.
Potential outcomes and impact
- The study may identify gaps or unintended consequences in current youth court laws, propose statutory changes, recommend programmatic or funding adjustments, or suggest administrative reforms (e.g., diversion, confidentiality, sentencing, rehabilitation and reentry supports). Any actual legal or funding changes would require follow-up legislation in a future session.
Where to find more information
- Full text of HJ 23, committee reports, hearing minutes, and any final study report or recommendations will be posted by the Legislature or the Joint Committee on Government Administration and Elections. Check the legislative website or committee clerk for the study schedule and final deliverables.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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