Committee hears testimony supporting H.2 to raise juvenile jurisdiction age from 10 to 12

The Judiciary Committee on Jan. 17 heard testimony on H.2, a bill that would raise the minimum age for juvenile delinquency jurisdiction from 10 to 12. Witnesses who spoke in favor of the bill included Kim McManus of the Department of State’s Attorneys and Sheriffs, Susanna Davis, executive director of the Office of Racial Equity (testifying also for the Division of Racial Justice Statistics), and Matthew Bernstein, a state child, youth and family advocate.

The bill would maintain exceptions that allow prosecution of a child of any age for murder, witnesses said. "Our office supports H 2," Matthew Bernstein said, adding that the office also wants broader reforms and supports for older children who will remain within the juvenile system. Susanna Davis said, "The Office of Racial Equity supports the raising of the minimum age for juvenile justice proceedings from 10 to 12," and cited racial-equity concerns including the adultification of children of color.

Why it matters:…