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House approves substitute bill limiting juvenile nonjudicial surcharge to a fee of up to $50
Summary
Substitute Senate Bill 156 passed the House 63–1 to ease an 85% surcharge on juvenile offenders handled nonjudicially; it lets probation officers impose a fee up to $50 in such cases to improve restitution and fairness.
The House considered substitute Senate Bill 156 on juvenile surcharge policy and voted to approve a change aimed at reducing the financial burden on juveniles whose matters are handled outside the formal court process.
Floor remarks explained that an 85% surcharge imposed on criminal fines was proving inequitable for juveniles with no source of income. The substitute bill directs that for nonjudicial juvenile matters, a probation officer may impose a fee of up to $50 rather than applying the full 85% surcharge. A sponsor's explanation said the change aims to allow juveniles a better opportunity to make restitution to victims and avoid imposing an excessive monetary penalty on young people who often cannot pay.
Members questioned whether the amendment had been tried before; floor records show multiple prior attempts and at least one prior defeat. After discussion and the sponsor’s summation, the House passed substitute Senate Bill 156 with 63 affirmative votes and 1 negative vote and returned the measure to the Senate for further consideration.
The bill as passed applies to juvenile cases handled nonjudicially and relies on probation officers’ discretion within the $50 cap.
