FRANKFORT, KY (March 14, 2023) — The following is a statement from Senator Danny Carroll, R-Benton, following the Senate's 29-7 approval of House Bill 3, sponsored by Rep. Kevin Bratcher and carried in the Senate by Carroll:
"I was proud to carry Rep. Bratcher's bill in the Senate and appreciate his partnership as a fellow DJJ work group co-chair," Carroll said. "I'm disappointed my Democratic Senate colleagues whose constituents stand to gain so much from House Bill 3 chose not to support the bill, but it is one step further in addressing the DJJ crisis. This bill, in tandem with Senate bills 162 and 158, is a result of the legislature's deliberate efforts and focus on remedying the toxic culture in the DJJ system."
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House Bill 3 appropriates $13.4 million to the Department of Juvenile Justice to renovate the Jefferson County Youth Detention Center, plus $2 million for operations if the property is deeded to the commonwealth before July 1, 2023. It also includes $4.5 million to renovate the regional Jefferson County facility in Lyndon.
The measure also orders parental cooperation in cases where their children fail a diversion program due to that lack of cooperation. The bill mandates a child taken into custody for a violent felony offense will be detained for 48 hours before a detention hearing and examined by a qualified mental health professional. It unseals records for children convicted of violent felonies for three years.
Carroll included the following provisions in House Bill 3 in a Senate Committee Substitute, which were outlined in the Kentucky Youth Advocates tracking of DJJ-related measures:
Delaying the 48-hour hold mandated implementation for one year.
Establishing the 48-hour hold mandate does not apply to children 10 or younger.
Allowing community organizations to connect with young people when they are detained.
Before creating a diversion agreement to be shared with Family Accountability Intervention Response teams, court-designated workers will connect with the child's school district to get background information about the family, education records, and any previous services they have received.
Allowing referral of a child's case to the Cabinet for Health and Family Services to investigate suspected dependency, neglect, or abuse after assessing the child's needs.
All members of the Senate minority caucus members present opposed House Bill 3. Find the bill in full by clicking THIS LINK.
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Senator Danny Carroll, R-Benton, represents the 2nd Senate District, including Ballard, Carlisle, Livingston, Marshall, and McCracken Counties. He serves as Senate Families and Children Committee chair. He is also a Senate Education, Health Services, and Judiciary committee member. Additionally, Carroll is a member of the Public Pension Oversight Board and the Legislative Oversight and Investigations Committee.
For a high-resolution .jpeg of Carroll, please visit: https://legislature.ky.gov/Legislators%20Full%20Res%20Images/senate102.jpg.
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