Juvenile Justice Amendments of 1980

Summary

Juvenile Justice Amendments of 1980 - Amends the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act of 1974 to extend through fiscal year 1984 the current level of authorization of appropriations for the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Office, Federal assistance for State programs, and the runaway youth grants program. Revises the findings of such Act to declare the need for attention to the problems of alcohol abuse by young people and the commission of serious crimes by juveniles. Modifies the purposes of such Act to include, with respect to the prevention of juvenile delinquency, the policy of strengthening the family unit so that juveniles may be retained in their homes. Revises certain definitions in the Act. Adds new definitions of "secure detention facility," "secure correctional facility," and "serious crime." Places the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention under the general authority of the Attorney General, instead of the Law Enforcement Assistance Administration (LEAA). Authorizes the Administrator of LEAA to provide training assistance to Federal, State, and local governments with respect to juvenile delinquency programs. Limits the authorization of appropriations for the concentration of Federal efforts with respect to juvenile delinquency programs to 7.5 percent of the total amount appropriated to carry out title II of such Act. Expands the membership of the Coordinating Council on Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention. Provides that the Council shall report its recommendations to Congress and the President, instead of the Attorney General and the President. Directs the Council to review any joint funding proposals undertaken by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention and any agency represented on the Council. Directs, rather than allows, the Associate Administrator of the Office to appoint necessary personnel. Limits the authorization of appropriations for the Council to $500,000 per fiscal year. Revises the composition and duties of the National Advisory Committee for Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention. Reduces its size from 21 to 15 members. Changes the maximum age requirement for certain members. Directs the Committee to seek regular input from juveniles currently under the jurisdiction of the juvenile justice system. Decreases the term of members from four to three years. Directs the Advisory Committee to: (1) evaluate Federal juvenile justice policies on a continuing basis; (2) advise the National Institute of Justice with respect to the Institute's juvenile justice policy; (3) refine, and recommend action to facilitate the adoption of, the recommended standards for the administration of juvenile justice currently provided in the Act; and (4) submit interim and annual reports to the President and Congress on the Committee's activities. Limits the authorization of appropriations for the Advisory Committee to $500,000 per fiscal year. Revises the manner in which formula grants for juvenile delinquency programs which are unobligated, are to be reallocated to States. Requires that State plans for receipt of formula grants be applicable to a three-year period, and be amended and evaluated annually. Makes certain revisions with respect to the advisory group which is required under each State plan. Replaces the study of State needs which is currently required to be set forth in the State with new requirements, including: (1) an analysis of juvenile justice needs which specifies the expected objectives of the various programs; (2) an indication of how the programs relate to other similar State programs; and (3) a plan to concentrate State efforts to coordinate all State juvenile delinquency programs. Requires that such State plans provide programs for juveniles who have committed serious crimes and projects to deter involvement in illegal activities. Requires that the "advanced techniques" used to prevent juvenile delinquency include education and special education. Makes certain other changes with respect to such techniques. Allows a State which has met specified conditions to be exempt from reporting requirements with respect to juveniles confined in institutions. Authorizes the Administrator of LEAA to award special emphasis grants for developing statewide programs to: (1) remove juveniles from jails for adults; (2) replicate programs designated exemplary by the National Institute of Justice; and (3) establish standards for the improvement of juvenile justice within the State. Requires that special emphasis assistance be available on an equitable basis to deal with disadvantaged youth. Eliminates the provision allowing formula grant funds to be used to meet the non-federal matching share requirement for other Federal juvenile delinquency program grants. Abolishes the National Institute for Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention within LEAA. Directs the Office of Justice Assistance, Research, and Statistics of LEAA to provide staff support to, and coordinate the activities of, the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention. Redesignates title III of the Act as "Runaway and Homeless Youth" (currently "Runaway Youth"). Requires that the runaway grants be awarded equitably among the States based on their populations of youth under age 18. Permits grants to be made for a national communications system to assist runaway and homeless youth in communicating with their families and service providers. Authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services to provide supplemental grants to runaway centers which develop model programs to assist juveniles who have repeatedly left their homes or other facilities. Requires that priority be given to grants under $150,000 (currently $100,000), and to organizations with demonstrated experience in the area of runaway youth. Extends eligibility for assistance to applicants who provide services for juveniles who have left home without permission or "other homeless youth."

This text is taken from the official record. PoliticalRepo does not editorialize.

Timeline

No timeline events have been ingested for this record yet.

Votes

No vote records are attached yet.

Versions

No version snapshots stored. Document URLs remain at the source.

Documents

3 official files

• Passed House amended

  summary · EN · 19 November 1980

  Open at official source

• Reported to House with amendment(s)

  summary · EN · 13 May 1980

  Open at official source

• Introduced in House

  summary · EN · 5 March 1980

  Open at official source

Sponsors

No sponsors or actors listed by the source.

Related records

No cross-record relationships stored yet.