–The following article was introduced by 6th District Delegate Bob Long about Juvenile Crime-
Juvenile crime has increased since the General Assembly passed the Juvenile Justice Reform Act in 2022.
Juveniles know there are no consequences since this bill passed and juvenile crime has skyrocketed.
We had a juvenile in Essex who was arrested multiple times for stealing cars, but he was released back into the custody of his parents.
Crime has increased so much that some Democrats said their reform bill needed to be reformed.
HB814- is a Juvenile Justice Reform bill that was recently passed. I voted for this bill but did not believe the bill went far enough. We need tougher penalties for juveniles who commit crimes. We also need more accountability for these juveniles and their parents.
I have introduced three bills this session that would deal with juvenile crime, but all three bills sat in committee.
House Bill 799– Home Detention Removal- This legislation would remove a person from the home detention program if the person violates the terms of the program. There is not a clear penalty if a person commits a crime on home detention.
We remember when an 18-year-old, who was part of the home detention program, was traced to a Brooklyn mass shooting by the ankle monitor he was wearing.
The home detention program is an alternative to incarceration and should be considered a privilege, not a right. They need to follow the rules of the home detention program and not be out committing crimes.
HB18– Reporting the Arrest of Students- This bill calls for a protocol where the State’s Attorney’s office must now notify the Maryland Center for School Safety, along with both the local superintendent’s office and the school administration and the State Board of Education of such an incident in the future.
HB 206– The Parent Accountability Act- This bill aims to reduce violent and disruptive behavior in public schools throughout the state of Maryland. It would require the parent or guardian of the student to seek and participate in counseling with the student as well as provide referrals to community resources and counseling services.
We need to pass better legislation that will reduce juvenile crime.
