Senate committee advances bill to move Virginia Department of Juvenile Justice into Health and Human Resources

Senator Locke presented SB21, which would move the Virginia Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) from the Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security to the Secretary of Health and Human Resources (HHR). Locke said the change would shift emphasis from punishment to rehabilitation and address underlying mental-health and social needs that contribute to youth offending.

Advocates urged the committee to support the reorganization. Acasia from Rise for Youth told senators that most DJJ-involved youth have unmet health and social needs and that reframing DJJ under HHR would better align services and expertise. Amy Walters of the Legal Aid Justice Center said much of DJJ’s work is coordinating treatment and services — expertise more commonly housed in HHR than in public safety.

Supporters pointed to DJJ data cited during the hearing showing high rates of mental-health symptoms and psychotropic medication among committed youth and high rearrest rates within 12 months of release; witnesses argued the move would improve coordination of services and reduce recidivism.

The committee voted to report the bill and refer it to Finance.