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Advocates seek more lived‑experience seats, stable supports on juvenile justice data board
Summary
Citizens for Juvenile Justice, Parent Professional Advocacy League and others urged updates to the Juvenile Justice Policy and Data Board (H.247/S.116) to ensure family and youth lived‑experience representation with organizational support and participation from LGBTQ youth and formerly‑involved youth.
Advocates testified in support of House 247/Senate 116, a bill updating the Juvenile Justice Policy and Data Board, saying the board’s value comes from diverse representation and that lived‑experience seats need institutional supports.
Sana Fadel, deputy director at Citizens for Juvenile Justice, told the committee the board created in 2018 had been effective because of diverse membership that includes government, advocates and non‑government organizations. She said two governor‑appointed parent seats were rarely filled and when they were, parents often lacked organizational support or compensation, which created inequity compared with other voting members who represented institutions.
The bill would add specified organizations to support lived‑experience seats, including the LGBTQ Youth Commission, the Parent Professional Advocacy League (PPAL), and the Kiva Centers (to recommend a formerly‑involved youth now an adult). Candace Gabrey of PPAL described the importance of family and youth voice for policy design and outcomes.
Supporters asked the committee for a favorable report, arguing clearer institutional support would improve the board’s ability to reach consensus and produce recommendations for the legislature.
Ending: Witnesses asked for the board to be strengthened through statutory recognition of lived‑experience seats and named partner organizations to sustain participation.
