Rabb disappointed at lack of perceptible change in Juvenile Justice Task Force-informed legislation

Rep. Christopher M. Rabb    October 9, 2024 | 9:39 AM

HARRISBURG, Oct. 9 – Yesterday, the Pennsylvania House of Representatives passed S.B. 169, which would accept certain recommendations put forth by Pennsylvania’s Juvenile Justice Task Force that state Rep. Chris Rabb, D-Phila., said represent little to no real change when compared to the breadth and scope of the task force’s full recommendations.

The bill would require courts to hold disposition review hearings at least every three months for the purpose of ensuring that each child committed to out-of-home placement is receiving necessary services and treatment.

“I can’t help but to feel like this legislation represents reform in only the most minimalist of ways,” Rabb said. “The Juvenile Justice Task Force put forth recommendations that would represent substantial change to the commonwealth’s juvenile legal system. We must act as a legislative body to enact the more substantive proposed reforms in service of justice for adjudicated youth of Pennsylvania.”

Recommendation 9 from the task force, which stated that the commonwealth should narrow the criteria for trying youth as adults by eliminating statutory exclusion — also known as “direct file” — from juvenile court, echoed part of legislation, H.B. 1551, that Rabb introduced this session that would end the charging of youths as adults.

That legislation is currently in the House Judiciary Committee where it awaits consideration.

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