Curbelo bill to reform juvenile criminal justice programs approved by House

The House approved bipartisan legislation on Thursday that U.S. Rep. Carlos Curbelo (R-FL) introduced to reform the juvenile criminal justice system while providing youth a pathway to success.

The Supporting Youth Opportunity and Preventing Delinquency Act, H.R. 5963, which Curbelo introduced with U.S. Rep. Bobby Scott (D-VA), would reauthorize and reform the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act to empower states to better serve at-risk youth offenders.

“The Supporting Youth Opportunity and Preventing Delinquency Act is about more than improving the juvenile justice system,” Curbelo said. “It’s about helping vulnerable kids realize they have an opportunity to succeed in life and giving them the support they need to seize that opportunity. These reforms will help keep at-risk youth out of the juvenile justice system, put juvenile offenders on the right path, and provide opportunities for all children to grow into productive members of society. I want to thank ranking member Scott for championing this bipartisan effort with me, and I look forward to continuing our work together to help vulnerable children find a better way forward.”

Curbelo’s bill would help at-risk youth acquire the skills needed to be productive members of society, provide state and local leaders flexibility to meet the needs of delinquent youth in their communities, support prevention services, prioritize evidence-based strategies, and strengthen oversight of youth programs.

U.S. Rep. John Kline (R-MN), the chairman of the House Education and the Workforce Committee, applauded the House approval of the measure.

“The bipartisan legislation will benefit communities across the country and give some of our nation’s most vulnerable children a second chance to turn their lives around,” Kline said. “I commend Rep. Curbelo and ranking member Scott for working together on this legislation, and I also want to thank U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) for his tireless efforts to advance many of these reforms in the Senate. I am hopeful that we can complete this important effort this year and help more children achieve a lifetime of success.”