Summary — SJ 36: Study dependent neglect standards for prosecutors
Status: Joint resolution (SJ 36) — Filed with Secretary of State (May 6, 2025)
Introduced: January 31, 2025
Subject areas: Criminal procedure, civil procedure, family law, minors, law enforcement, legislature (interim studies)
Purpose
SJ 36 is a joint legislative resolution directing an executive or legislative study of the standards and practices prosecutors use when evaluating and charging “dependent neglect” cases involving minors. The resolution’s intent, as indicated by the title and legislative classification, is to review how dependent-neglect standards are applied and to identify potential policy, training, statutory or procedural reforms.
Legislative status and timeline (key actions)
- 2025-01-31: Referred to the Joint Committee on Government Administration and Elections (intro date recorded)
- 2025-02-03: Public hearing (2/7)
- 2025-03-19: Joint Favorable Substitute reported
- 2025-03-28 / 04-02: Referred to Office of Legislative Research and Office of Fiscal Analysis
- April 2025: Committee reports and executive actions in both Senate (Public Health, Welfare and Safety) and House (Human Services)
- 2025-04-24: Passed Senate (3rd reading)
- 2025-04-30: House concurred (3rd reading)
- 2025-05-02: Returned from Enrolling
- 2025-05-06: Signed by Senate President and House Speaker; filed with Secretary of State
The resolution appears to have completed legislative action and is officially filed; however, the full text is not included in the materials provided here.
Key provisions (based on available information and typical practice)
The document itself was not provided, so the following describes the likely substance and scope given the title and standard legislative practice for study resolutions:
- Establishes an interim study to examine how prosecutors determine and charge dependent neglect (definitions, thresholds of proof, evidentiary standards).
- Directs review of coordination between prosecutors, child protective services, law enforcement, and family courts.
- May require the study to examine training, charging guidelines, plea practices, and disparities in charging or outcomes.
- Likely calls for collection of data, stakeholder input (prosecutors, defense attorneys, child welfare advocates, law enforcement, judges, families), and preparation of a report with findings and recommendations to the General Assembly by a specified date.
- Could create a working group, advisory committee, or assign the Office of Legislative Research/Office of Fiscal Analysis to support the study.
Who would be affected
- Prosecutors and their offices (charging policies, training)
- Families and alleged neglect victims (parents/guardians, children)
- Child welfare agencies and caseworkers
- Defense attorneys, judges, and courts handling neglect cases
- Law enforcement responding to child welfare allegations
- Legislature and policymakers (receiving recommendations)
Potential impact
- Identification of inconsistencies or gaps in current charging standards
- Recommendations for statutory or policy changes, standardized guidelines, or training
- Improved coordination between criminal and child welfare systems, or proposals for clearer thresholds for prosecution
- Possible budgetary implications if training, data collection, or new programs are recommended (OFA involvement noted)
Limitations / Next steps
- Full resolution text is not provided here; this summary relies on the bill title, classification and legislative history. For exact directives (membership of any study group, reporting deadlines, specific questions to be examined), consult the enacted joint resolution text and associated committee reports or the Offices of Legislative Research and Fiscal Analysis.
- Related bill: LC 504 (listed as replaced)
If you would like, I can:
- Retrieve and summarize the full text of SJ 36 (if available), or
- Draft a concise list of likely questions and data to be included in the study for stakeholders.
