HB 1966-S.E - DIGEST

(DIGEST AS ENACTED)

     Discourages differential treatment of youth of color and their families who come in contact with the juvenile courts of the state and promotes racial and ethnic sensitivity and awareness throughout the juvenile court system.

     Directs the administrator for the courts to develop a plan to improve the collection and reporting of information on juvenile offenders.

     Requires the development of a curriculum for a general understanding of ethnic and cultural diversity and its implications for working with youth of color and their families.

     Provides for interpreters for non-English speaking youth.

     Requires juvenile detention facilities to have standards of operation in place.

     Requires an evaluation of the effectiveness of the program and a report to the legislature by December 1, 1994, and annually thereafter.

     Convenes a work group to develop standards and guidelines for the prosecution of juvenile offenders.

     Provides that the act shall be null and void if appropriations are not approved.