WASHINGTON – Sens. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) this week introduced the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (JJDPA) Reauthorization Act, renewing a yearslong bipartisan effort to protect and improve outcomes for youth in the juvenile justice system. The bill reauthorizes key delinquency prevention programs, empowers community stakeholders and bolsters federal protections for incarcerated minors. Grassley is a senior member and former chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee; Whitehouse also serves as a senior member of the Judiciary Committee. 

“Kids in our juvenile justice system ought to receive safe, fair treatment that encourages respect for the law and, ultimately, smooths transitions back to their communities,” Grassley said. “The federal juvenile justice program ensures minors receive adequate protections from these centers operating on the taxpayer’s dime. Our bipartisan bill builds off decades of work to strengthen the core tenets of this critical program, and I thank Senator Whitehouse for his continued partnership.” 

“Senator Grassley has been my stalwart partner over the years in strengthening protections for kids in the justice system. I’m very pleased to launch our latest effort together to ensure that young people receive age-appropriate, community-centered support to stay out of the juvenile justice system and have a better chance to get their lives back on track after getting out,” Whitehouse said. 

The Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Reauthorization Act:

  • Reauthorizes through 2029 the Charles Grassley Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Program. This program
    • empowers local stakeholders to better meet the needs of their communities,
    • improves the effectiveness of State Juvenile Justice Advisory Groups, and
    • bolsters federal protections for kids in the justice system.
  • Renews the Youth PROMISE Grants and the Tribal Youth Program to support at-risk or delinquent youth at the local level.

Download bill text HERE.

Background:

Grassley and Whitehouse in 2018 championed the first reauthorization of the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act in nearly 16 years. Their landmark legislation made significant updates to the 1974 law, including measures to expand program oversight, promote screening for mental illness and substance abuse, prohibit the shackling of pregnant youth in juvenile detention, ensure the separation of juvenile and adult offenders and provide detained children access to adequate legal representation.

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