WASHINGTON – Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) today introduced the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (JJDPA) Reauthorization Act to reauthorize key delinquency prevention programs and bolster federal protections for incarcerated minors.
“Kids in our juvenile justice system ought to be treated fairly and given the tools they need to succeed,” Grassley said. “Our bipartisan bill builds off decades of work to strengthen the core tenets of this critical program, and I thank Senator Whitehouse for his continued partnership to protect and improve outcomes for at-risk youth.”
“Senator Grassley has been a steadfast partner in strengthening protections for kids in the justice system. I’m proud to continue our bipartisan work to equip state and local communities with resources to keep kids out of the juvenile justice system and to give young people a better chance to get their lives on track after getting out,” Whitehouse said.
The Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Reauthorization Act would:
- Reauthorize the Charles Grassley Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Program through 2030. This program:
- Empowers local stakeholders to better meet their communities’ needs,
- Improves the effectiveness of State Juvenile Justice Advisory Groups, and
- Strengthens federal protections for kids in the justice system.
- Renew the Youth PROMISE Grants and the Tribal Youth Program to support at-risk or delinquent youth at the local level.