SB 778: Juveniles; adjudication of delinquency, when and how child may be taken into immediate custody.

Official summary

Abstract published by the legislature (via Open States). Text as published by the legislature; reproduced verbatim.

Juveniles; adjudication of delinquency; penalty. Specifies that a delinquent child is a child 11 years of age or older who has committed a delinquent act. Currently, there is no minimum age for a child to be adjudicated delinquent. The bill provides that if a juvenile younger than 11 years of age is found to have committed an act that would be delinquent if committed by a child 11 years of age or older, the juvenile shall not be proceeded upon as delinquent; however, the court may make any orders of disposition authorized for a child in need of services or a child in need of supervision. The bill also provides that any funding that is available to provide services to a child 11 years of age or older who is proceeded upon as delinquent shall also be made available to a child younger than 11 years of age who is found to have committed an act that would be delinquent if committed by a child 11 years of age or older in order to provide such child the same services. The bill includes in the definition of  "child in need of services" a child younger than 11 years of age who has committed an act that would be delinquent if committed by a child 11 years of age or older. The bill adds that a child may be taken into immediate custody when such child is alleged to be in need of services or supervision and there is a clear and substantial danger to the child's life or health or the safety of the child's family or the public. Finally, the bill includes in the offense of causing or encouraging acts rendering children delinquent, abused, etc., any person 18 years of age or older, including the parent of any child, who willfully contributes to, encourages, or causes any act, omission, or condition that (i) causes a child younger than 11 years of age to commit an act that would be delinquent if committed by a child 11 years of age or older or (ii) causes any child to participate in or become a member of a criminal street gang in violation of existing law. Under the bill, any person who commits such offense is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor.

Sponsors

Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 1

“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.

Recent official actions

1. April 2, 2025Senate sustained Governor's veto
2. April 2, 2025Passed by for the day
3. March 25, 2025Vetoed by Governor
4. March 3, 2025Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., March 24, 2025
5. March 3, 2025Enrolled Bill Communicated to Governor on March 3, 2025
6. February 20, 2025Signed by President
7. February 20, 2025Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB778)
8. February 18, 2025Signed by Speaker
9. February 18, 2025Bill text as passed Senate and House (SB778ER)
10. February 18, 2025Enrolled
11. February 13, 2025Passed House (51-Y 46-N)
12. February 13, 2025Read third time

Showing 12 most recent of 36 actions. Full history