LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A group of Nebraska lawmakers plans to announce a proposal to reorganize the state's juvenile justice system to treat more youths without sending them to detention centers.
Four state senators will unveil their proposed changes Wednesday at the Capitol.
State Sen. Brad Ashford of Omaha has said reforming the state's services is his top priority this year. The legislation would refocus the state's juvenile justice system on treatment for troubled youths, rather than punitive sentences.
The proposal would replace the existing Office of Juvenile Services and the state's Youth Rehabilitation and Treatment Centers with a new Juvenile Assistance Office by January 2015. The proposal requests $10 million to invest in a community-based juvenile services program that would provide alternatives treatments for state wards.
