HARRISBURG- Earlier this week, the PA House Children and Youth Committee garnered bipartisan support to approve House Bill 144, voting 21-5 to standardize the use of juvenile diversion programs statewide.
“Diversion helps youth take accountability, saves taxpayer dollars and makes our communities safer,” said state Rep. Rick Krajewski, prime sponsor of H.B. 144. “It shouldn’t depend on what county you’re from; all of our children should have access to these services. Diversion works.”
The legislation would standardize the use of diversion programs for all non-violent juvenile offenses. A range of stakeholder groups support the legislation, from child advocates to criminal justice reform champions to advocates of fiscal responsibility…