Citizen urges legislative oversight of OJJ complaints; committee to schedule hearing

Mondrianne Douglas, a Monroe resident and volunteer, asked the House Select Committee on Women and Children to use its oversight authority to review complaints she said were filed about the Office of Juvenile Justice and conditions at the Swanson Community Center.

Douglas said she and community members had submitted complaint materials and evidence beginning in 2024 and that she had not received a satisfactory response. She asked the committee to exercise oversight and review the matter in a formal hearing.

Committee response: Members said the committee had not yet taken up that topic and that the Senate side of the select committee is also holding related hearings; they advised Douglas to present her materials at a scheduled committee hearing and said the committee would publish future meeting agendas and accept testimony. Vice Chair Denise Marcel and other members invited Douglas to return to testify when the item is placed on the agenda.

Context: The committee’s agenda that day focused on trafficking, online exploitation, incarceration audit findings and maternal‑health proposals; members acknowledged the OJJ allegations deserve a focused hearing so committee members can review evidence and question OJJ officials directly.