Establishes a juvenile needs assessment process and criteria for diverting juveniles from formal judicial processing.

This bill creates a process for law enforcement officers and juvenile community corrections officers to refer juveniles to the Department of Health and Human Services for a needs assessment. The assessment identifies supports and services needed for the juvenile and their family. The bill also establishes criteria for using the assessment report in adjudicatory hearings and mandates the creation of an implementation stakeholder group to assist in the process. The assessment report cannot be used as evidence in hearings if a petition based on the same facts is filed.

Establishes a juvenile needs assessment process and criteria for diverting juveniles from formal judicial processing.

This bill creates a process for law enforcement officers and juvenile community corrections officers to refer juveniles to the Department of Health and Human Services for a needs assessment. The assessment identifies supports and services needed for the juvenile and their family. The bill also establishes criteria for using the assessment report in adjudicatory hearings and mandates the creation of an implementation stakeholder group to assist in the process. The assessment report cannot be used as evidence in hearings if a petition based on the same facts is filed.