Source: https://development.code.dccouncil.us/dc/council/laws/21-238.html
Timestamp: 2019-04-23 08:49:45+00:00

Document:
D.C. Law Library - D.C. Law 21-238. Comprehensive Youth Justice Amendment Act of 2016.
D.C. Law 21-238. Comprehensive Youth Justice Amendment Act of 2016.
↪ D.C. Law 21-238. Comprehensive Youth Justice Amendment Act of 2016.
Law 21-238, the “Comprehensive Youth Justice Amendment Act of 2016,” was introduced in the Council and assigned Bill No. 21-683 which was referred to the Committee on Judiciary. The bill was adopted on first and second readings on Oct. 11, 2016, and Nov. 1, 2016, respectively. After mayoral review, it was assigned Act No. 21-568 on Dec. 7, 2016, and transmitted to Congress for its review. D.C. Law 21-238 became effective Apr. 4, 2017.
To amend Title 16 of the District of Columbia Official Code to strengthen the presumption against pre-disposition detention of a child, to reduce the number of unnecessary arrests of children, to ban the secure detention of status offenders, to transfer juveniles adjudicated pursuant to Chapter 23 of Title 16 of the District of Columbia Official Code to the custody of the Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services, to end the commitment to the Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services of children under 10 years of age, to terminate the commitment of status offenders on their 18th birthday, to allow the sharing of juvenile information between agencies for the purpose of providing services and evaluating the efficacy of diversion programs, and to authorize the sealing of juvenile arrest records; to amend section 23-1322 of the District of Columbia Official Code to transfer juveniles adjudicated pursuant to Chapter 23 of Title 16 of the District of Columbia Official Code to Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services custody; to restrict the use of room confinement of juveniles, to ban the use of disciplinary segregation of juveniles, to remove juveniles from adult correctional facilities, and to end the detention of juveniles adjudicated pursuant to Chapter 23 of Title 16 of the District of Columbia Official Code in adult facilities; to amend the Attorney General for the District of Columbia Clarification and Elected Term Amendment Act of 2010 to require the establishment of a victim-offender mediation program; to amend the Revised Statutes of the District of Columbia to require the Metropolitan Police Department to cooperate with the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council in its review of the root causes of juvenile delinquency; to amend the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council for the District of Columbia Establishment Act of 2001 to require the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council to conduct an analysis of the root causes of juvenile delinquency; to amend An Act To create a Department of Corrections in the District of Columbia to require the Department of Corrections to cooperate with the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council in its review of the root causes of juvenile delinquency; to amend An Act To establish a Board of Indeterminate Sentence and Parole for the District of Columbia and to determine its functions, and for other purposes to eliminate mandatory minimums for juveniles charged as adults, to ban the use of juvenile life sentences without parole, and to allow for sentence review for individuals who have served 20 years or more in prison for crimes committed as juveniles; to amend the Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services Establishment Act of 2004 to better inform the families of committed juveniles about their commitment and the resources available to them, to require the Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services to cooperate with the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council in its review of the root causes of juvenile delinquency, and to require the agency to collect information regarding the effectiveness of its rehabilitation programs from other agencies; to amend Chapter 3 of Title 13 of the District of Columbia Official Code to allow for constructive notice when a defendant cannot be found after diligent efforts or who by concealment seeks to avoid the service of process and to reduce the cost of providing notice in child custody cases; and to amend the District of Columbia Theft and White Collar Crimes Act of 1982 to repeal the Fraud Prevention Fund authorization.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That this act may be cited as the "Comprehensive Youth Justice Amendment Act of 2016".
TITLE I. YOUTH SERVICES AND REHABILTATION ENHANCEMENT.
This title may be cited as the "Strengthening Youth Services and Rehabilitation Amendment Act of 2016".
"(c)(1) Notwithstanding subsections (a) and (b) of this section, a law enforcement officer shall not be required to arrest a person who is under 18 years of age when there is probable cause to believe that the person has committed an intrafamily offense that does not constitute intimate partner violence.
"(2) If a person is not arrested under paragraph (1) of this section, the person shall be diverted to a program that provides behavioral health and community support services.".
"(46) The term "penal institution" shall have the same meaning as provided in § 22-2603.01(6) .".
(1) The lead-in language is amended by striking the phrase "or in need of supervision".
"(1) to protect the person or property of others from significant harm, or".
(1) Paragraph (2) is amended by striking the phrase "or a child in need of supervision".
"(B) A petition shall be filed at or before the shelter care hearing.".
(1) Subsection (a) is amended by striking the phrase "to be neglected" wherever it appears and inserting the phrase "to be neglected or in need of supervision" in its place.
(A) Strike the phrase "is alleged to be in need of supervision or (except as provided in subsection (d) or (e))".
(B) Paragraph (3) is amended by striking the phrase "or children alleged to be in need of supervision".
(i) Strike the phrase "Except as provided in subsection (e), no" and insert the word "No" in its place.
(ii) Strike the phrase "subsection (b)(3)" and insert the phrase "subsection (b)(3); provided, that beginning October 1, 2018, no person under 18 years of age may be held in the custody of the Department of Corrections" in its place.
"(2) All persons under 18 years of age who are in the custody of the Department of Corrections shall be transferred to the custody of the Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services before October 1, 2018.
"(3) After October 1, 2018, the Department of Corrections shall immediately inform the Superior Court if a person under 18 years of age is transferred to the Department of Corrections and transfer the individual to the Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services.".
(4) Subsection (e) is repealed.
(1) Subsection (c)(2) is amended by striking the phrase "delinquent children." and inserting the phrase "delinquent children; provided, that legal custody shall not be transferred to a public agency for the care of delinquent children when the child in question is less than 10 years of age." in its place.
"(d)(1) No child found in need of supervision, unless also found delinquent, shall be committed to or placed in a secure juvenile residential facility, as defined in § 22-2603.01(7), or a secure residential treatment facility for delinquent juveniles.
"(2) Except as provided in paragraph (1) of this subsection, a child found in need of supervision shall be released to the child's parent, guardian, or custodian; provided, that the child may be committed to or placed in a foster home, group home, youth shelter, or other appropriate home for children in need of supervision if the return of the child will result in placement in, or return to, an abusive situation, or the child's parent, guardian, or custodian is unwilling or unable to care for or supervise the child. If the return of the child will result in placement in, or return to, an abusive situation, or if the child's parent, guardian, or custodian is unwilling or unable to care for or supervise the child, the Child and Family Services Agency shall open a neglect investigation.".
(i) Strike the phrase "Subject to subsection (f) of this section, a" and insert the word "A" in its place.
(ii) Strike the phrase "or in need of supervision".
"(5) Subject to subsection (f) of this section, a dispositional order vesting legal custody of a child adjudicated in need of supervision in a department, agency, or institution shall remain in force for an indeterminate period not to exceed the child's 18th birthday. Unless the order sets a minimum period for commitment of the child, or specifies that release is permitted only by order of the Division, the department, agency, or institution may release the child at any time that it appears the purpose of the disposition order has been achieved.".
(A) Strike the word "he" and insert the phrase "the child" in its place.
(B) Strike the phrase "age." and insert the phrase "age, except that orders under this subchapter in force with respect to a child adjudicated in need of supervision, but not delinquent, terminate when the child reaches 18 years of age." in its place.
"(II) Youth who have been diverted by law enforcement, by the Office of the Attorney General for the District of Columbia, or pursuant to § 16-2305.02;".
(k) Section 16-2335(a) is amended by striking the phrase "who has been the subject of a petition" and inserting the phrase "who has been taken into custody pursuant to section 16-2309 or has been the subject of a petition" in its place.
(l) Section 16-2336 is amended by striking the phrase "16-2335" and inserting the phrase "16-2335 and 16-2335.02" in its place.
Sec. 103. Section 23-1322(g)(2) of the District of Columbia Official Code is amended by striking the phrase "appeal;" and inserting the phrase "appeal; provided, that after October 1, 2018, if the person is younger than 18 years of age, direct that the person be transferred to the custody of the Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services, subject to the federal standards under 28 C.F.R. § 115.14;" in its place.
TITLE II. IMPROVING CONDITIONS OF CONFINEMENT.
This title may be cited as the "Improving the Conditions of Confinement of Juveniles Act of 2016".
(1) "Juvenile" means any individual under 18 years of age and any child, as defined in D.C. Official Code § 16-2301(3).
(2) "Penal institution" shall have the same meaning as provided in section 2(6) of An Act To prohibit the introduction of contraband into the District of Columbia penal institutions, approved December 15, 1941 (55 Stat. 800; D.C. Official Code § 22-2603.01(6)).
(3) "Room confinement" means the involuntary restriction of a juvenile alone, other than during normal sleeping hours or facility-wide lockdowns, in a cell, room, or other area.
(4) "Secure juvenile facility" means a secure juvenile residential facility, as defined in section 2(7) of An Act To prohibit the introduction of contraband into the District of Columbia penal institutions, approved December 15, 1941 (55 Stat. 800; D.C. Official Code § 22-2603.01(7)), or a secure residential treatment facility for juveniles that is owned, operated, or under the control of the Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services.
Sec. 203. Limitations on the use of room confinement.
(a) Penal institutions and secure juvenile facilities shall not use room confinement on a juvenile for the purposes of discipline, punishment, administrative convenience, retaliation, or staffing shortages.
(B) Imminent danger to the safe or secure operation of the penal institution or secure juvenile facility.
(D) Facility staff develops a plan that will allow the youth to leave room confinement and return to the general population as soon as possible.
(c) Facility staff at a penal institution or secure juvenile facility may grant a juvenile's request for room confinement; provided, that the juvenile is free at any time to revoke his or her request for confinement and be immediately returned to the general population.
(d) Except for room confinement occurring under subsection (c) of this section, a health or mental health professional shall conduct a mental health screening on a juvenile placed in room confinement within one hour after placement. After a screening, the penal institution or secure juvenile facility shall provide mental health services to the juvenile, if necessary.
(1) Development of an individualized plan to improve the juvenile's behavior, created in consultation with the juvenile, mental health or health staff, and the juvenile's family members that identifies the causes and purposes of the negative behavior as well as concrete goals that the juvenile understands and that he or she can work toward to be removed from special programming.
(5) Daily review with the juvenile of his or her progress toward the goals outlined in his or her plan.
(9) Any referrals and contacts with qualified medical and mental health professionals, including the date, time, and person contacted.
(4) The greatest number of times that any juvenile was in room confinement.
Sec. 204. Age-appropriate housing for youth.
(3) The number of consecutive quarters that the lowest number of unused beds at secure juvenile facilities, as determined in paragraph (2) of this subsection, has exceeded the greatest number of juveniles housed in the Correctional Treatment Facility or the Central Detention Facility, as determined in paragraph (1) of this subsection, if any.
(b) All juveniles housed at the Correctional Treatment Facility or the Central Detention Facility shall be transferred to available space in secure juvenile facilities within 6 months after a determination that there have been 4 consecutive quarters of excess capacity, as determined under subsection (a)(3) of this section.
This title may be cited as the "Incarceration Reduction Amendment Act of 2016".
"(3) By October 1, 2018, the Attorney General shall develop a pilot program, in collaboration with community partners, to provide victim-offender mediation as an alternative to the prosecution of juveniles in cases deemed appropriate by the Attorney General; provided, that participation in the mediation pilot program established pursuant to this paragraph shall be voluntary for both the victim and the offender.".
"(b) The Metropolitan Police force shall cooperate with the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council by sharing records to the extent otherwise permissible under the law for the purpose of preparing the report described in section 1505(b-3) of the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council for the District of Columbia Establishment Act of 2001, effective October 3, 2001 (D.C. Law 14-28; D.C. Official Code § 22-4234(b-3)).".
"(b-2) By October 1, 2018, and every 2 years thereafter, the CJCC shall conduct a voluntary survey of individuals under 21 years of age currently committed to the Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services or incarcerated at the Department of Corrections on their perspective on the causes of youth crime and the prevalence of adverse childhood experiences, such as housing instability, childhood abuse, family instability, substance abuse, mental illness, family criminal involvement, or other factors deemed relevant by the CJCC.
"(b-3) On October 1, 2018, and every 2 years thereafter, the CJCC shall submit a report to the Mayor and the Council containing an analysis of the root causes of youth crime and the prevalence of adverse childhood experiences among justice-involved youth, such as housing instability, childhood abuse, family instability, substance abuse, mental illness, family criminal involvement, or other factors deemed relevant by the CJCC that incorporates the results of the survey conducted pursuant to subsection (b-2) of this section.".
"(9) Cooperating with the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council by sharing data and allowing access to individuals under 21 years of age to the extent otherwise permissible under the law for the purpose of preparing the report described in section 1505(b-3) of the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council for the District of Columbia Establishment Act of 2001, effective October 3, 2001 (D.C. Law 14-28; D.C. Official Code § 22-4234(b-3)).".
"(c)(1) Except as provided under paragraph (2) of this subsection, a sentence under this section of imprisonment, or of commitment pursuant to section 4 of the Youth Rehabilitation Amendment Act of 1985, effective December 7, 1985 (D.C. Law 6-69; D.C. Official Code § 24-903), shall be for a definite term, which shall not exceed the maximum term allowed by law or be less than any minimum term required by law.
"(B) The court shall not impose a sentence of life imprisonment without the possibility of parole or release.".
"(c-1) A person sentenced under this section to imprisonment, or to commitment pursuant to section 4 of the Youth Rehabilitation Amendment Act of 1985, effective December 7, 1985 (D.C. Law 6-69; D.C. Official Code § 24-903), shall serve the term of imprisonment or commitment specified in the sentence, less any time credited toward service of the sentence under subsection (d) of this section and subject to section 3c, if applicable.".
(3) Subsection (e) is amended by striking the phrase "person convicted of" wherever it appears and inserting the phrase "person who was over 18 years of age at the time of the offense and was convicted of" in its place.
(4) Subsection (f) is amended by striking the phrase "person convicted of" and inserting the phrase "person who was over 18 years of age at the time of the offense and was convicted of" in its place.
"Sec. 3c. Modification of an imposed term of imprisonment for violations of law committed before 18 years of age.
"(2) The court finds, after considering the factors set forth in subsection (c) of this section, that the defendant is not a danger to the safety of any person or the community and that the interests of justice warrant a sentence modification.
"(b)(1) A defendant convicted as an adult of an offense committed before his or her 18th birthday may file an application for a sentence modification under this section. The application shall be in the form of a motion to reduce the sentence. The application may include affidavits or other written material. The application shall be filed with the sentencing court and a copy shall be served on the United States Attorney.
"(2) The court may direct the parties to expand the record by submitting additional written materials related to the motion. The court shall hold a hearing on the motion at which the defendant and the defendant's counsel shall be given an opportunity to speak on the defendant's behalf. The court may permit the parties to introduce evidence.
"(3) The defendant shall be present at any hearing conducted under this section unless the defendant waives the right to be present. Any proceeding under this section may occur by video teleconferencing and the requirement of a defendant's presence is satisfied by participation in the video teleconference.
"(4) The court shall issue an opinion in writing stating the reasons for granting or denying the application under this section.
"(11) Any other information the court deems relevant to its decision.
"(d) If the court denies the defendant's 1st application under this section, a court shall entertain a 2nd application under this section no sooner than 5 years after the date that the order on the initial application becomes final. If a sentence has not been reduced after a 2nd application, a court shall entertain a 3rd and final application under this section no sooner than 5 years following the date that the order on the 2nd application becomes final. No court shall entertain a 4th or successive application under this section.
"(e) Any defendant whose sentence is reduced under this section shall be resentenced pursuant to section 3, section 3a, or section 4 of the Youth Rehabilitation Amendment Act of 1985, effective December 7, 1985 (D.C. Law 6-69; D.C. Official Code § 24-903), as applicable.".
TITLE IV. YOUTH REHABILITATION ACCOUNTABILITY.
This title may be cited as the "Rehabilitation Accountability Amendment Act of 2016".
(a) Section 101(12) (D.C. Official Code § 2-1515.01(12)) is amended by striking the phrase "D.C. Official Code § 16-2301(3)" and inserting the phrase "D.C. Official Code § 16-2301(3) or other minor in the custody of the Department" in its place.
(2) Paragraph (14) is amended by the striking the period and inserting a semicolon in its place.
"(17) Cooperating with the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council by sharing data and allowing access to individuals under 21 years of age, to the extent otherwise permissible under the law, for the purpose of preparing the report described in section 1505(b-3) of the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council for the District of Columbia Establishment Act of 2001, effective October 3, 2001 (D.C. Law 14-28; D.C. Official Code § 22-4234(b-3)).".
"(7) Office of the Attorney General.
"(b) All records collected by the Department pursuant to this section shall be kept privileged and confidential pursuant to section 106.".
(1) Subsection (c) is amended by striking the phrase "in the third trimester of pregnancy or in postpartum recovery" and inserting the phrase "is known to be pregnant or is in postpartum recovery" in its place.
(2) Subsection (d)(1) is amended by striking the phrase "in the third trimester of pregnancy or in postpartum recovery" and inserting the phrase "who is known to be pregnant or is in postpartum recovery" in its place.
"(3) Against the unknown heirs or devisees of deceased persons.".
(b) Section 13-340(a) is amended by striking the phrase "actions for divorce" and inserting the phrase "child custody proceedings, as defined in § 16-4601.01(4), or actions for divorce" in its place.
Sec. 601. Section 126n of the District of Columbia Theft and White Collar Crimes Act of 1982, effective June 8, 2001 (D.C. Law 13-301; D.C. Official Code § 22-3226.14), is repealed.
TITLE VII. APPLICABILITY; FISCAL IMPACT; EFFECTIVE DATE.
(a) Sections 102(c)(1)(A), (d), (e), and (f)(2), and 103, 302, 303, 304, 305, 402(b), and (c) shall apply upon the date of inclusion of their fiscal effect in an approved budget and financial plan.
Sec. 702. Fiscal impact statement.
The Council adopts the fiscal impact statement in the committee report as the fiscal impact statement required by 4a of the General Legislative Procedures Act of 1975, approved October 16, 2006 (120 Stat. 2038; D.C. Official Code § 1-301.47a).

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