House approves task force to rewrite juvenile code

Frankfort


Photographer: Jessica Noll/KyPost.com
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Posted: 02/13/2012

  • By: Associated Press By: Associated Press

FRANKFORT, Ky. - FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Kentucky lawmakers in the House have approved a measure to create a task force to rewrite the state's juvenile code.

Sponsor Rep. John Tilley told The Courier-Journal the goal is to update the law in ways that improve juvenile justice.

The Hopkinsville Democrat said that is especially important when it comes to "status offenses." Those are acts that would not be a crime for an adult, such as running away or missing school.

The Courier-Journal reported in December that Kentucky has the second-highest rate in the nation of placing young status offenders in juvenile jails. That's despite both federal and state laws that discourage detention in such cases and the near-unanimous agreement among experts that it harms children.

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.