publications

2023 Youth Policy Advances

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Abstract:
2023 Youth Policy Advances, celebrates the critical wins to keep more youth out of carceral settings and push our imagination forward to what true youth justice looks like – a world where community safety equals investing in the holistic resources needed for the well-being of youth and families.

In 2023, 30 states advanced 99 policy wins that will create better outcomes for youth across the country. The year showed us exactly what’s possible when we believe in a shared vision and commit to the well-being of young people. For instance, last year:

• Eight states pass legislation limiting or ending the imposition of juvenile court fines and fees: Arizona, Illinois, Indiana, Maine, Michigan, Montana, Texas, and Washington. In addition, Hawaii passed a resolution requiring data collection on fines, fees, and restitution assessed against minors for the last five years.
• Seven states passed legislation expanding the ability of young people to expunge youth records (and some adult records) under certain circumstances: Kentucky, Idaho, Oregon, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, and Vermont.
• Six states passed legislation addressing youth in the adult system, from limiting transfer to the adult system or adult facilities, to conditions for youth being tried as adults: Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Michigan, Oregon, and Texas.
• Five states passed legislation focused on mental health, from improving mental health services to youth in school, in the community, and in the legal system, to diverting youth with mental health challenges in the legal system: Hawaii, Illinois, Kentucky, Texas, and West Virginia.
• Four states passed legislation protecting young people from false statements made by law enforcement during an interrogation: Connecticut, Colorado, Indiana, and Nevada.
• Four states passed legislation investing in resources for children and/or expanding community-based alternatives: Colorado, Michigan, Oregon, and South Dakota.
• Four states passed legislation addressing the school-to-prison pipeline: California, Colorado, North Dakota, and Texas.
• Three states passed legislation banning juvenile life without parole (JLWOP): Illinois, New Mexico, and Minnesota. This brings the number to 28 states that ban JLWOP!

Click below to get the full scope of 2023 Youth Policy Advances. We know that our vision of justice grounded in the values of abolition, prevention, healing, restoration, opportunity and equity is possible.