Youthful Offender System Updates
Sponsored By: Gretchen Rydin (Democratic), Jamie Jackson (Democratic), Judy Amabile (Democratic)
Signed by Governor
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
11 provisions identified: 7 benefits, 1 costs, 3 mixed.
Old juvenile court costs erased
Beginning July 6, 2021, any remaining court-assessed costs under the listed laws cannot be collected from a juvenile. They also cannot be collected from the juvenile’s parent, guardian, legal custodian, or any person who must support the juvenile.
Personal plans, treatment, and education
Each participant with a plan gets a case manager who meets monthly. The team reviews the plan each month and updates it to meet needs and goals. The department may transfer someone to a facility that better fits treatment or reentry, but not in ways that risk safety or isolate because of disability. Sex-offender treatment must follow state board standards on and after July 1, 2002. The department may contract for education and diplomas and decide how prior credits count; students served this way do not affect a district’s performance scores.
Youth can consent to care
A juvenile participant can consent to medical, mental health, substance use, dental, or emergency care without a parent. Providers and the department are not civilly liable if they rely on the youth’s consent in good faith. Parents or guardians do not have to pay for care the youth authorized.
Reentry housing and close supervision
In the last 3 to 6 months, the department can place a participant in a 24-hour residential prerelease program. The department can run or contract for these homes. It can also place youth in emancipation housing and provide supports when family reunification is not safe. Phase III uses tight community supervision with monitoring, education, and individualized treatment. Before a Phase III placement, local police get 30 days’ notice, and if outside the conviction area, that agency can appeal at least 15 days before; parole officers supervise Phase III.
Staff training and behavioral health hiring
The executive director has final say on YOS staff hiring and transfers. New staff must be trained in juvenile and young-adult treatment within 45 days. Before training, they cannot work directly with juveniles and must be supervised with young adults. The department may hire unlicensed behavioral health staff with final approval, but they must work under licensed providers.
Safety limits, diagnostics, and court review
If someone is dangerous, the department may move them for up to 60 days, then must return them to YOS or send them to court. A participant cannot be kept in isolation, segregation, or an adult facility for more than 60 straight days without court action. Clinicians can request a 60-day diagnostic transfer for mental health or developmental issues; doctors send findings at the end. If the person cannot complete YOS, the court may impose the original DOC sentence or reduce the YOS term, but cannot increase it because of the diagnosis. Before sending someone back for noncompliance, the department must rule out health or accommodation causes; if upheld, the person goes to county jail within 35 days and the court reviews the case within 126 days.
Who can get YOS sentencing
The law defines a young adult as at least 18 but under 20 at the crime, and under 21 at sentencing. Courts can sentence eligible young adults to the Youthful Offender System. It lists eligible felonies and bars class 1 or 2 felonies, certain sex offenses, and anyone who already got a YOS sentence. A person who pleads down from murder to a class 2 felony can still qualify if the underlying felony is eligible. When a party asks for a presentence report, the YOS warden gives a suitability opinion that considers the case and bed space.
Dedicated fund and state support
The legislature provides enough money for YOS to meet legal requirements, including treatment and accommodations. The department may seek federal, state, local, and private funds. The law creates a Youthful Offender System Surcharge Fund. Interest goes to the general fund. Money not appropriated stays in the fund and is available for rehab, education, and treatment.
Trauma-informed care plan by 2028
The department must work with experts to build trauma‑informed practices for programs, treatment, housing, and staff training. It must include these recommendations at its January 2028 SMART Act hearing and post them online.
DNA sample and testing fees
A juvenile or young adult in YOS must give a DNA sample within 35 days of intake unless a sample is already on file. If no sample exists, the offender pays for collection and testing.
Mentor housing and inmate status rules
The department may house YOS participants with select inmates age 25 or older for approved mentoring, but only with lower-custody inmates. It may not place them in any facility that houses 25+ inmates convicted of listed sex offenses. People in YOS, including those on community supervision, are treated as inmates for the listed legal purpose.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsors
Gretchen Rydin
Democratic • House
Jamie Jackson
Democratic • House
Judy Amabile
Democratic • Senate
Cosponsors
Chad Clifford
Democratic • House
Cecelia Espenoza
Democratic • House
Jennifer Bacon
Democratic • House
Javier Mabrey
Democratic • House
Jacque Phillips
Democratic • House
Kyle Brown
Democratic • House
Karen McCormick
Democratic • House
Kenny Nguyen
Democratic • House
Lindsay Gilchrist
Democratic • House
Meg Froelich
Democratic • House
Mandy Lindsay
Democratic • House
Matthew Martinez
Democratic • House
Regina English
Democratic • House
Tisha Mauro
Democratic • House
Tammy Story
Democratic • House
Cathy Kipp
Democratic • Senate
Chris Kolker
Democratic • Senate
Iman Jodeh
Democratic • Senate
James Coleman
Democratic • Senate
Julie Gonzales
Democratic • Senate
Janice Marchman
Democratic • Senate
Katie Wallace
Democratic • Senate
Lisa Cutter
Democratic • Senate
Lindsey Daugherty
Democratic • Senate
Matt Ball
Democratic • Senate
Mike Weissman
Democratic • Senate
Nick Hinrichsen
Democratic • Senate
Tony Exum
Democratic • Senate
William Lindstedt
Democratic • Senate
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
Actions Timeline
Governor Signed
3/26/2026HouseSigned by the President of the Senate
3/19/2026SenateSent to the Governor
3/19/2026HouseSigned by the Speaker of the House
3/18/2026HouseHouse Considered Senate Amendments - Result was to Concur - Repass
3/12/2026HouseHouse Considered Senate Amendments - Result was to Laid Over Daily
3/3/2026HouseSenate Third Reading Passed - No Amendments
3/2/2026SenateSenate Third Reading Laid Over to 03/02/2026 - No Amendments
2/27/2026SenateSenate Second Reading Passed with Amendments - Floor
2/26/2026SenateSenate Committee on Judiciary Refer Unamended to Senate Committee of the Whole
2/23/2026SenateIntroduced In Senate - Assigned to Judiciary
2/19/2026SenateHouse Third Reading Passed - No Amendments
2/18/2026HouseHouse Second Reading Special Order - Passed with Amendments - Committee, Floor
2/17/2026HouseHouse Second Reading Laid Over Daily - No Amendments
2/13/2026HouseHouse Committee on Health & Human Services Refer Amended to House Committee of the Whole
2/10/2026HouseIntroduced In House - Assigned to Health & Human Services
1/14/2026House
Bill Text
Engrossed
Final Act
Introduced
PA1
Reengrossed
Rerevised
Revised
Signed Act
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