HCS HB 1550 -- JUVENILE COURT JURISDICTION

SPONSOR:  Stevenson

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass" by the Committee on Judiciary
by a vote of 10 to 2.

This substitute expands the jurisdiction of juvenile courts to
include individuals who are 17 years of age for the sole purpose
of status offenses by revising the definition of "child" and
"adult."  "Status offense" is defined as any offense described in
Section 211.031.1(2), RSMo.

Parents are allowed to petition the circuit court to extend the
jurisdiction of the juvenile court over the minor child until the
child reaches the age of 18 years old and makes the expiration
date of these provisions subject to the effective date of the
changes to Section 211.021.

The provisions of Section 211.021 become effective when spending
by the state for juvenile officers and offices exceeds by $3.8
million the amount spent by the state for juvenile officers and
offices in Fiscal Year 2007.

FISCAL NOTE:  Estimated Cost to General Revenue Fund of More than
$1,834,819 in FY 2009, More than $2,293,658 in FY 2010, and More
than $2,357,405 in FY 2011.  No impact on Other State Funds in FY
2009, FY 2010, and FY 2011.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that the juvenile court currently has
no jurisdiction over high school students older than 17 years of
age.  High school students are aware of this law and will drop
out of school at age 17 despite the wishes of their parents or
guardians.  The bill raises the age of jurisdiction for juvenile
courts to 18 years for all status offenses such as delinquency
and truancy.  Any juveniles between the ages of 17 and 18 will
continue to be prosecuted as adults for state crimes.

Testifying for the bill were Representative Stevenson; Missouri
Catholic Conference; and CNS Corporation.

OPPONENTS:  Those who oppose the bill say that Missouri's
juvenile offices are overworked and understaffed by 94 full-time
employees.  The estimated impact of the bill will increase
caseloads for the juvenile officers by 30%.  The bill will create
confusion among law enforcement officers on what to do with
juveniles between the age of 17 and 18 who have committed
concurrent status and state crimes.

Testifying against the bill was Missouri Juvenile Justice
Association.

Missouri House of Representatives
94th General Assembly, 2nd Regular Session
Last Updated October 15, 2008 at 3:10 pm