Committee advances juvenile-justice bill to create placement process and fund high-acuity care

Sen. Danny Carroll and Commissioner Randy White described a package of changes intended to address gaps identified during the 2023 juvenile‑justice crisis, including riots and assaults in detention centers and difficulty placing high‑acuity juveniles who need psychiatric care. The proposed language establishes an evaluation and placement process, authorizes DJJ to contract with psychiatric hospitals for short‑term care of violent juveniles, and calls for constructing an acute mental‑health facility within the DJJ system (sponsors referenced a minimum 24‑bed facility and Central State Hospital as a likely location).

Commissioner White and Dr. Clark Lester said the state lacks sufficient in‑state beds for very high‑acuity juveniles, sometimes requiring out‑of‑state placements, and described staff-training and supervision challenges. The revised substitute removed a prior hold clause tied to facility construction and instead requires DJJ to contract with hospitals for interim placement and care while planning permanent capacity.

Committee members expressed urgency but also cautioned against overbuilding; the substitute passed the committee with favorable expression on a roll call.