Senate Appropriations panel advances bills to fund Oakley renovations and youth diversion programs

The Senate Appropriations Committee voted to advance Senate Bill 2,003 and Senate Bill 2,004, measures that together direct millions in capital and program funding for juvenile services. The chair said SB2003 includes $12,000,000 in capital-expense funds for renovations and expansion of the Oakley Youth Development Center, $7,500,000 in general funds for a statewide youth diversion program, and $10,000,000 in CapEx to identify or renovate additional juvenile detention campuses in the north and south of the state.

The committee chair (Appropriations Chair) said the $10,000,000 for Department of Public Safety facilities could be used for leases or renovations and that DPS would determine the best course: "This could be funds that would be used for leases. It could be used to renovate existing facilities," the chair said, adding that DPS would ensure facilities are "adequately suited for detention of the juveniles that would need to be placed in those facilities." The chair also described prior investments intended to strengthen child-protective processes, including additional caseworkers and technology.

Senator Norwood voiced concern that new placements might be used simply to reduce CPS caseloads rather than to serve children's needs: "I just don't I don't want us to get to a point where children are being, railroad, if you will, or into a position that they shouldn't be in in order to reduce the caseload," Norwood said. The chair responded that judges — not the Legislature — decide whether a child must be detained and emphasized the bills are part of broader efforts to get children into appropriate treatment and avoid out-of-state or hotel placements.

Senator Wiggins, who participated in earlier negotiations, argued Oakley has been unable to accept some of the worst cases and said the funding is intended to create proper detention capacity so judges are not forced to place children "in places like... hotels, out of state." Wiggins also explained that the $1,500,000 in SB2004 represents funds previously appropriated for an adolescent offender program (AOP) and that SB2004 would reallocate that amount and combine it with the $7,500,000 in SB2003 to create a $9,000,000 pool for diversionary programs.

Committee members asked practical questions about staffing and site identification. Senator Seymour asked whether staffing is included for the two new DPS facilities; the chair said no staffing funds were included in the bill and that staffing needs would be addressed later. The chair acknowledged no specific properties had been identified for the $10,000,000 allocation and said the amount is intended to let DPS quickly identify, lease, or renovate appropriate facilities; negotiators had discussed a larger initial figure from the governor's office (about $30,000,000), but the committee settled on the current allocation to start immediate work.

Votes at a glance: The committee adopted motions of "title sufficient to pass" for SB2003 and SB2004; both measures were approved by voice vote, recorded in the transcript as "the ayes have it." The committee then voted to rise and report to the next stage.

The bills now move to the House for further consideration; the committee concluded its session after adopting the motions to rise and report.