House committee backs bill to certify community juvenile crime‑prevention programs
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Summary
The House Judiciary Committee issued a favorable report on H5121, which directs the Department of Juvenile Justice to design a voluntary certification for nonprofit community programs that use evidence‑informed mentoring, education and family supports to help divert at‑risk youth.
Chairman Johnson said the committee issued a favorable report on House Bill H5121, which would require the Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) to adopt procedures for certifying community juvenile crime‑prevention programs.
"This bill tasked the Department of Juvenile Justice to adopt procedures for establishing a certification process to identify community juvenile crime prevention programs," Johnson said, describing certification requirements that include proof the organization is in good standing in South Carolina, compliance with IRS and public disclosure rules for nonprofits, and a mission focused on diverting youth from the juvenile justice system through mentoring, education, family support, employment and recreation.
The bill does not itself appropriate funding; several members, including Representative Bailey, asked whether certification creates a funding commitment. "This bill doesn't deal with funding," Johnson responded, saying Ways and Means would handle any future allocations. Members cited existing programs that could seek certification and stressed that certification is optional but intended to give organizations credibility and a public listing maintained by DJJ.
Representative King asked why DJJ — rather than the Department of Health, which houses a Community Violence Intervention and Prevention unit — would oversee the program. Johnson said the ad hoc juvenile committee recommended DJJ because it typically handles juveniles who enter the system, but he encouraged members to raise agency‑placement questions on the House floor.
Miss Calhoun asked whether DJJ would coordinate with Department of Social Services so foster children who fall between agencies are not missed; Johnson said the bill envisions DJJ coordinating with other agencies as policies, procedures and regulations are developed.
The committee ordered a roll call and reported H5121 favorably. The chair announced that H5121 "receives a favorable report" by voice and roll call.
