FIRST REGULAR SESSION

House Concurrent Resolution No. 39

94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

2595L.01I

            Whereas, our system of juvenile justice in Missouri is a critical function of our state government; and

            Whereas, Missouri's juvenile justice system is under great strain and thus warrants in-depth legislative study; and

            Whereas, the age of majority in Missouri varies throughout our state laws; and

            Whereas, the allocation of juvenile officers in Missouri between the executive and judicial branches often presents questions of jurisdictional control which must be resolved; and

            Whereas, the maintenance of juvenile officers within the judicial branch may impact potential future funds, and Missouri's ability to preserve these funds must be further evaluated:

            Now, therefore, be it resolved by the members of the House of Representatives of the Ninety-fourth General Assembly, First Regular Session, the Senate concurring therein, that to ensure the children entrusted to the care of our state institutions are receiving the best possible service and care, the General Assembly must endeavor to study further the matters detailed herein; and

            Be it further resolved that the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate appoint an Interim Committee on Juvenile Justice which is authorized to function during the legislative interim of the Ninety-fourth General Assembly to study the following:

            (1) The need to make the age for juvenile jurisdiction consistent with the age of majority in this state and the rest of the states generally; and

            (2) The proper state entity or entities under which juvenile officers should be placed, and the potential state and federal fiscal issues involved with such a determination; and

            (3) Such other matters as the Interim Committee may deem necessary in order to determine the proper course of future legislative and budgetary action regarding juvenile justice in Missouri; and

            Be it further resolved that the committee shall prepare a final report, together with its recommendations for any legislative action deemed necessary for submission to the General Assembly prior to commencement of the Second Regular Session of the Ninety-fourth General Assembly; and

            Be it further resolved that the committee may solicit input and information necessary to fulfill its obligations, including but not limited to soliciting input and information from any state department or agency the committee deems relevant, the courts, personnel within the juvenile justice system, law enforcement, political subdivisions of this state, and the general public; and

            Be it further resolved that the staffs of House Research, the Joint Committee on Legislative Research, and Senate Research shall provide such legal, research, clerical, technical, and bill drafting services as the committee may require in the performance of its duties; and

            Be it further resolved that the actual and necessary expenses of the committee, its members, and any staff assigned to the committee incurred by the committee shall be paid by the Joint Contingent Fund.

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