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Committee flags Green Hill, juvenile diversion and rehabilitation as interim priorities
Summary
Committee members emphasized juvenile rehabilitation needs, diversion effectiveness and facility oversight — including Green Hill — as priorities for interim work and visits.
Committee members used the interim planning work session to elevate juvenile rehabilitation, diversion services and oversight of Green Hill as priorities for fall review and future hearings.
Members said they want the interim to include close scrutiny of programming, staff safety, diversion outcomes and whether the state’s juvenile rehabilitation plans are achieving their goals. Vice Chair Cortez said she wants the committee to examine diversion services and review the forthcoming statewide juvenile diversion report to help avoid repeating facility crises. "I'd like us to kinda dive into that a little bit more to make sure that we're working to ensure that we don't get into the situation that we are in right now with Greenhill," Cortez said.
Why it matters: lawmakers said oversight and data on diversion programs, juvenile probation and facility operations are essential to decisions about programming, funding and possible facility redesign or replacement.
Representative Dent, speaking about juvenile probation and post‑disposition representation, said lawmakers should explore how probation services are delivering behavioral‑health‑oriented interventions and what supports exist when young people return to the community. "I would love to see a work session on CHINs and, ARY, the at risk youth petitions, and hearing from organizations like TeamChild, LCYC around legal services for youth," Dent said earlier in the meeting when describing topics he wants the committee to consider.
Several members referenced JR25 (juvenile rehabilitation planning) and the need for long‑term programming, facility capacity and staff supports. Members also asked for updates from the Minority and Justice Commission’s upcoming juvenile diversion report and said they expect to review safety and emergency provisions in legislation passed this year before December committee days.
The committee did not take formal action. Members asked staff to gather reports, relevant data and testimony for committee days and to include the juvenile diversion report and Green Hill site updates among the interim materials.
