Kansas House passes juvenile justice bill to reintroduce youth residential facilities and tighten penalties for gun-involved offenses

The Kansas House on March 12 passed House Bill 23-29, a broad amendment to the state's juvenile justice code that reintroduces youth residential facilities, makes changes to pre-adjudication detention limits and firearm-related penalties for juveniles, and provides initial funding to contract for those residential placements.

The measure directs the Department of Corrections to contract for youth residential facilities (previously referenced in legislation as "group homes") with a statewide capacity planned between 35 and 45 beds and a maximum of 15 beds at any single facility. The House bill permits juveniles to be placed in such youth residential facilities as an alternative to correctional facilities or foster care in certain cases.

To support the program, the chair said the bill would apply $10 million from an existing evidence-based fund that previously held roughly $45 million. Representative Lewis, the bill carrier,…