Council for Equitable Youth Justice supports raising juvenile court age to 12

The House Judiciary Committee meeting on February 12, 2025, featured a significant discussion led by Karen Bastine, chair of the Council for Equitable Youth Justice. Bastine provided an overview of the council's role in juvenile justice reform in Vermont, emphasizing its establishment under the Federal Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act, which recently celebrated its 50th anniversary.

Bastine highlighted that the Council for Equitable Youth Justice serves as Vermont's state advisory group, fulfilling one of the federal act's requirements. The council is composed of volunteers and is supported by the Department for Children and Families, which manages the flow of Title II grant funds from the Department of Justice.

A key point of the meeting was the council's strong support for raising the minimum age of juvenile court jurisdiction to 12. Bastine noted that this issue has been a priority for the council for several decades, indicating a long-standing commitment to reforming juvenile justice practices in the state.

The discussion underscored the council's enthusiasm for recent legislative developments and its ongoing efforts to advocate for changes that align with their mission of equitable youth justice. The meeting concluded with a reaffirmation of the council's dedication to this critical area of reform.