Legislation Strategies

Closing California’s State Youth Prisons (2020) - SB 823 / AB 1868
In 2020, California enacted SB 823 / AB 1868, which phases the closure of California’s Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ)

Limiting the Time Youth Spend on Probation in California (2020) - SB 1134 (Beall)
Adolescent years are critical to growth and development. Young people who are on probation deserve a chance to meaningfully demonstrate

Youth Reinvestment Grant (2019) - California Budget
California took meaningful action in 2018 to affirm the idea that youth need care, not cages by committing a one-time

Fostering Success Fund (2019) - California Budget
In 2018, California took a major step towards addressing the criminalization of foster youth for minor behaviors and low-level offenses

Pilot Office of Youth Development and Diversion - SB 433 (Monning)
This California legislation and accompanying $10 million budget request would create local county pilot offices of youth development and diversion
Youth Reinvestment Fund (2018) - California Budget
In 2016, more than 40,000 California youth were arrested or cited by law enforcement officers for misdemeanor and status offenses.

Keeping 14 and 15 Year Olds Out of the Adult Criminal Justice System - SB 1391 (Lara)
Twenty-four years ago, California changed its laws to allow the prosecution of 14 and 15-year-olds in adult criminal court. This
Keeping Younger Children out of the Juvenile Court System - SB 439
Numerous scientific studies, court decisions and experience have demonstrated that children are less culpable than adults for the same acts,