HB 4613

Abstract

Amends the Children and Family Services Act. Provides that the Illinois Juvenile Justice Commission shall study and make recommendations to the General Assembly regarding the availability of youth services to reduce the use of detention and prevent deeper criminal involvement. Amends the Juvenile Court Act of 1987. Provides that it is the goal of the Act to ensure that detention is the last resort and for as short a time as possible. Provides that on and after July 1, 2021, any minor 13 years of age or older arrested under this Act where there is probable cause to believe that the minor is a delinquent minor and that (i) secure custody is a matter of immediate and urgent necessity in light of a serious threat to the physical safety of a person or persons in the community or to secure the presence of the minor at the next hearing, as evidenced by a demonstrable record of willful failure to appear at a scheduled court hearing within the last 12 months, may be kept or detained in an authorized detention facility. Provides that a minor must be at least 13 (rather than 10) years of age to be placed in detention.