Juvenile Justice Reform Passed in Pennsylvania Senate

Pennsylvania’s Senate was back in session this week for the first time since July. Some of the bills they passed deal with reforming the juvenile justice system.

Each year, Pennsylvania’s juvenile justice system processes thousands of youth. This week, the Senate passed two bills to help juveniles in that process… and after.

“This is all about second chances,” said Senator Lisa Baker (R-20). She sponsored SB 170, which would let juveniles with misdemeanors get their records expunged after two years. Certain felonies could be expunged after 5 years.

“So for a 14 year old, by the time they turn 16, they’ve paid their debt to society, they have a fresh start,” said Baker. “You know, from a timeliness standpoint, with college applications or trying to get a job or finding an apartment... in some cases that limits you and is really difficult.”

The second bill, SB 169, would let youth who are in secure residential facilities get a judge’s review after 3 months, instead of the current 9 month mark.

“legislation will allow the judges to actually see the progress in these kids face,” said Latonya Myers, director of the community organization Above All Odds. She says youth have a better chance of improving and changing when they are in community.

“Prison doesn't address the issue, right? Prisons just make people disappear,” said Myers. "And, you know, from my experience as a juvenile, I wanted protection, not prosecution. I wanted an advocate, but I didn’t know I had to sign to my first felony at the age of 12. I wanted someone to teach me how to drive and take me to the mall and things like that. But I didn’t know that it will come only if you have to go through the system.”

Pennsylvania is also in a shortage crisis of beds available in these residential facilities.

“Some kids end up living across the Commonwealth, some are going to Ohio because we don’t have enough beds,” said Baker.

The bills still need to be voted on by the House; which will come back to session the first week of October. Both received overwhelming or unanimous bipartisan support in the Senate.