The Crossover Youth Information Sharing Workgroup, a special committee established by the Virginia Commission on Youth, met this morning and heard presentations from experts in the juvenile justice system. The Virginia Commission on Youth is chaired by Senator Dave Marsden (D- Fairfax) and represents a legislative response to a two-year study examining the issues related to services to chronic status offenders. Virginia Code directs the Commission "to study and provide recommendations addressing the needs of and services to the Commonwealth's youth and families." Enacted in 1989, the Commission began operations in 1991.
During the 2021 session of the Virginia General Assembly, lawmakers passed Senate Bill 1206 (Barker) directing the Commission on Youth to convene a work group to include representatives from the Department of Juvenile Justice, the Department of Social Services, the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services, the Department of Education, youth and families with lived experience in the juvenile justice and child welfare systems, representatives of Virginia juvenile justice advocacy groups, representatives of local public defender offices, and representatives from other relevant state or local entities. The work group shall review current data and record sharing provisions with regard to youth served by the juvenile justice and child welfare systems and make recommendations on best practices for the sharing, collection, and use of such data and records while respecting the privacy interests of youth and families. The work group shall report its findings and recommendations to the Governor and the Chairmen of the Senate Committee on the Judiciary and the House Committee for Courts of Justice by November 1, 2021.
To review the proceedings of the meeting, click here.
