The bill makes several changes and clarifications to current
juvenile diversion programs (diversion), including:
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Establishing another category of diversion that is pre-arrest, and therefore allowing funding at the school and law enforcement levels;
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Clarifying the division of criminal justice in the department of public safety's (division) authority over all programs funded with diversion money;
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Clarifying that diversion funding may be allocated to entities other than district attorneys' offices;
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Requiring eligibility criteria for diversion be made public;
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Establishing that a juvenile is eligible to divert if the juvenile meets the eligibility criteria;
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Clarifying that an approved validated assessment tool may be used for decisions on the length of supervision and necessary services;
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Clarifying that a risk screening tool is only to be used to inform the level and intensity of supervision;
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Establishing a clear process for data collection so the division can properly evaluate its diversion programs;
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Creating a clearer process and role for the division in the allocation process; and
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Creating a mandatory set-aside of 20% for a competitive grant process managed by the division for community-based diversion programs that include restorative justice practices.
