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Panel hears heated testimony on juvenile‑justice overhaul that shifts presumption toward community supervision
Summary
Staff described a substitute to HB 23‑89 that would broaden eligibility for community‑based disposition alternatives, create a mid‑sentence review, and reduce certain standard ranges; the hearing drew strong, split public testimony, with prosecutors, cities and victim advocates urging opposition over safety and fiscal concerns and juvenile justice advocates and judges backing the reforms.
Staff told lawmakers the substitute to House Bill 23‑89 would expand two suspended disposition alternatives, require courts to grant those alternatives unless certain findings support confinement, create a midpoint review hearing for certain long commitments and require DCYF reporting before mid‑sentence reviews, and lower standard ranges for some juvenile robbery offenses.
Representative Raquel Cortez (sponsor remarks) framed the measure as "a balanced evidence‑based approach to juvenile justice," saying it…
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