Senate Bill 823

Overview

SB 823 realigns all youth committed to the California Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) back to the counties and calls for the closure of DJJ by June 30, 2023. Beginning July 1, 2021, DJJ will cease intakes of new youth, with a limited number of exceptions. 

It establishes a Juvenile Justice Realignment Block Grant and the funding associated will be granted to the counties, beginning July 2021, provided a plan is submitted. The plan must be developed by a collaborative body chaired by the Chief Probation Officer, and comprised of a representative from the Court, District Attorney’s Office, Public Defender’s Office, Social Services, Mental Health, County Office of Education (or school districts), and at least three community members who have experience as a community-based youth services provider, justice advocate, or directly involved in the system. The plan must describe the facilities, programs, placements, services, supervision, and re-entry strategies that are needed to provide appropriate rehabilitation.

To prevent an increase in adult transfer cases as a result of the DJJ closure, the legislation extends the local jurisdiction age to 23 years old. Additionally, it requires youth who began in the Juvenile Justice System to remain in the Juvenile Facilities, minimally, until the youth is 19 years of age. At 19 years old, the county can petition for youth to be transferred to an adult detention facility. Additionally, a separate dispositional track will be established for higher need youth by July 1, 2021, to avoid an increase in transfers of youth to adult jurisdiction. 

The California Office of Youth and Community Restoration will be established in the California Health Care Service Agency. It will be required to evaluate the effectiveness of local programs utilized for the realigned youth. OYCR will also assume the duties and authority associated with DJJ.