DULUTH, Minn. (Northern News Now) – Northland agencies and county officials are raising concerns about resources and treatment options following a Minnesota law that took effect in August and raised the minimum age for juvenile delinquency cases to 13.
Under the law, children 12 and younger no longer face delinquency prosecution. The measure redirects 10- to 12-year-olds who break the law to county social services programs, including Children in Need of Protective Services, or CHIPS.
It took effect in August 2026, two years after it became law. It was co-authored by Twin Cities state Reps. Dave Pinto and Sandra Feist.
Concerns about resources and serious offenses
Arrowhead Regional Corrections Executive Director Becky Pogatchnik said the law prevents children under 13 from being admitted to the Arrowhead Juvenile Center for delinquency offenses. She said agencies involved in juvenile justice should have been consulted before the measure passed.
“The people who do this work, law enforcement, county attorneys, social services, detention center staff should have been consulted,” Pogatchnik said…