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House passes bills to fund indigent counsel for juveniles and set safer institutional practices
Summary
Lawmakers approved two juvenile-justice measures: one to provide indigent counsel for court-adjudicated juveniles and another to require safe and humane institutional practices for children in custody. Both measures passed on recorded votes.
The Pennsylvania House approved two juvenile-justice bills aimed at strengthening legal representation for court-adjudicated juveniles and requiring safer institutional practices for children in custody.
House Bill 15 76, which the House described as providing indigent counsel for court-adjudicated juveniles, passed on a 106-97 roll-call vote. Representative Schusterman, the bill sponsor, urged colleagues to support the measure by stressing investment in children who pass through the juvenile system and listing services such as medical treatment, transportation and appointment of counsel.
House Bill 15 77, described as ensuring safe and humane institutional practices, also passed on a 108-95 roll-call vote. Representative Schusterman said the bill implements recommendations from a juvenile justice task force that conducted roundtables and issued 35 recommendations to the legislature; the bill targets restrictive procedures such as restraints and other practices in juvenile facilities.
Both bills were considered on multiple days before final passage. Sponsors emphasized child welfare and implementation of task force recommendations; some members requested further technical work on language or implementation details.
The clerk recorded the votes and the bills will be returned to the Senate for concurrence.
