Committee advances substitute to require written finding before committing juveniles to state institutions

The House Early Learning and Human Services Committee on an executive‑session vote moved a proposed substitute for House Bill 13‑22 out of committee with a due‑pass recommendation.

The substitute would require courts to make a written finding, supported by clear and convincing evidence, that placement in a juvenile rehabilitation institution is necessary because community‑based placement would not adequately protect the public before committing a juvenile for certain offenses. Luke Wickham, committee counsel, described the proposal and changes made in the substitute during the committee briefing: "house bill 13 22 is the bill that requires the court, make an independent finding supported by clear and convincing evidence that commitment to juvenile rehabilitation is needed because community based placement would not adequately protect the community before committing a juvenile to, a juvenile real rehabilitation institution for certain offenses."

The substit…