SB 6853-S - DIGEST

(DIGEST OF PROPOSED 1ST SUBSTITUTE)

     Finds that juvenile offenders who have co-occurring mental and chemical abuse disorders have a greater risk of committing additional offenses than those who do not have co-occurring disorders.

     Finds that juveniles who receive more extensive postrelease discharge planning and community mental health services are less likely to commit additional offenses.

     Declares an intent that juveniles participating in the study created by this act receive research-based, integrated, and highly individualized mental health and chemical abuse treatment that emphasizes family and community involvement, low caseloads, home or residence-based services, is time-determinate to the extent appropriate, focuses on the juvenile's peer and social structures, promotes reduction of factors associated with reoffending, and emphasizes prosocial contacts and behaviors.

     Finds that juvenile offenders with co-occurring disorders are likely to lack necessary skills or emotional stability to appropriately deal with the consequences of their disorders or to even understand how or where to seek assistance.  The legislature also finds that juvenile offenders with co-occurring disorders are more likely than not to lack the education necessary to obtain full or meaningful employment opportunities.

     Declares an intent to create a pilot program to provide for postrelease planning for, and treatment of, juvenile offenders with co-occurring disorders in order to determine the most effective treatment for juveniles in this situation.  The pilot program created by this act shall include a rigorous and objective evaluation component.