Criminal Justice Reform Caucus
Thursday, June 16, 2022 | 10 a.m. – 11 a.m.
Agenda
This meeting was focused on legislation stemming from the recommendations of Pennsylvania’s Juvenile Justice Task Force, which was established in 2019 and co-chaired by Senator Baker, Senator Costa, Representative Zabel, and former Representative Toohil. The 30-member Task Force included a wide range of legislators, juvenile justice system stakeholders, and community members.
There are three panels, each including a young person with direct experience in Pennsylvania’s juvenile justice system. The panelists discussed several bills that have been introduced to address many of the Task Force’s key recommendations. There are eight total bills stemming from the Task Force that have been introduced so far.
Opening Remarks by Caucus Chairs
- Senators Camera Bartolotta & Art Haywood
- Representatives Sheryl Delozier & Jordan Harris
Panel 1: Fines & Fees and Expungement (SB 1226 & SB 1233)
- Impacted youth speaker
- Jessica Feierman, Senior Managing Director, Juvenile Law Center
Panel 2: Diversion, Detention, and Placement (SB 1241) o Impacted youth speaker
- Kentucky State Senator Whitney Westerfield (R-District 3), Senate Judiciary Chair and co-chair of the state’s 2013 Task Force on the Unified Juvenile Code
Panel 3: Direct File (SB 1240)
- Impacted youth speaker
- David Jimenez, Manager of Government Affairs, Prison Fellowship
Additional Q&A and closing remarks