TRENTON, NJ – New Jersey has established a “Task Force on the Status of Juvenile Delinquency and Remediation” to tackle the increasing issues surrounding juvenile criminal behavior. The task force will consist of 23 members, including legislative representatives, ex-officio members, and public appointees with varied expertise.
The task force’s primary aim is to analyze the causes behind the recent rise in juvenile crimes and to propose solutions spanning legislative, executive, and judicial domains. Among its specific mandates, the task force will assess the uptick in serious offenses and repeat offenses among juveniles, evaluate the effectiveness of post-adjudication services, and review the capacity of current facilities to meet the needs of adjudicated delinquents.
This initiative is set to kick off immediately upon the bill’s enactment, with all members required to be appointed within 90 days. The task force will be organized within 120 days from enactment and is expected to select a chairperson from among its members. It will also receive administrative support from the Juvenile Justice Commission and has the authority to engage services from various state, county, and municipal bodies.
Within 18 months of its first meeting, the task force is tasked with presenting a comprehensive report of its findings and legislative recommendations to the Governor and the Legislature. The task force will dissolve 30 days after the submission of its report.