SECOND REGULAR SESSION

[I N T R O D U C E D]

SENATE BILL NO. 716

88th GENERAL ASSEMBLY


S2627.01I

AN ACT

To repeal sections 211.071, 211.181 and 211.231, RSMo Supp. 1995, relating to juvenile offenses, and to enact three new sections relating to the same subject.


BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF MISSOURI,

AS FOLLOWS:

Section A. Sections 211.071, 211.181 and 211.231, RSMo Supp. 1995, are repealed and three new sections enacted in lieu thereof, to be known as sections 211.071, 211.181 and 211.231, to read as follows:

211.071. 1. If a petition alleges that a child between the ages of twelve and seventeen has committed an offense which would be considered a felony if committed by an adult, the court may, upon its own motion or upon motion by the juvenile officer, the child or the child's custodian, order a hearing and may, in its discretion, dismiss the petition and such child may be transferred to the court of general jurisdiction and prosecuted under the general law; except that if a petition alleges that any child has committed an offense which would be considered first degree murder under section 565.020, RSMo, second degree murder under section 565.021, RSMo, first degree assault under section 565.050, RSMo, forcible rape under section 566.030, RSMo, forcible sodomy under section 566.060, RSMo, first degree robbery under section 569.020, RSMo, or distribution of drugs under section 195.211, RSMo, or has committed two or more prior unrelated offenses which would be felonies if committed by an adult, the court shall order a hearing, and may in its discretion, dismiss the petition and transfer the child to a court of general jurisdiction for prosecution under the general law.

2. Upon apprehension and arrest, jurisdiction over the criminal offense allegedly committed by any person between seventeen and twenty-one years of age over whom the juvenile court has retained continuing jurisdiction shall automatically terminate and that offense shall be dealt with in the court of general jurisdiction as provided in section 211.041.

3. Knowing and willful age misrepresentation by a juvenile subject shall not affect any action or proceeding which occurs based upon the misrepresentation. Any evidence obtained during the period of time in which a child misrepresents his age may be used against the child and will be subject only to rules of evidence applicable in adult proceedings.

4. Written notification of a transfer hearing shall be given to the juvenile and his custodian in the same manner as provided in sections 211.101 and 211.111. Notice of the hearing may be waived by the custodian. Notice shall contain a statement that the purpose of the hearing is to determine whether the child is a proper subject to be dealt with under the provisions of this chapter, and that if the court finds that the child is not a proper subject to be dealt with under the provisions of this chapter, the petition will be dismissed to allow for prosecution of the child under the general law.

5. The juvenile officer may consult with the office of prosecuting attorney concerning any offense for which the child could be certified as an adult under this section. The prosecuting or circuit attorney shall have access to police reports, reports of the juvenile or deputy juvenile officer, statements of witnesses and all other records or reports relating to the offense alleged to have been committed by the child. The prosecuting or circuit attorney shall have access to the disposition records of the child when the child has been adjudicated pursuant to subdivision (3) of subsection 1 of section 211.031. The prosecuting attorney shall not divulge any information regarding the child and the offense until the juvenile court at a judicial hearing has determined that the child is not a proper subject to be dealt with under the provisions of this chapter.

6. A written report shall be prepared in accordance with this chapter developing fully all available information relevant to the criteria which shall be considered by the court in determining whether the child is a proper subject to be dealt with under the provisions of this chapter and whether there are reasonable prospects of rehabilitation within the juvenile justice system. These criteria shall include but not be limited to:

(1) The seriousness of the offense alleged and whether the protection of the community requires transfer to the court of general jurisdiction;

(2) Whether the offense alleged involved viciousness, force and violence;

(3) Whether the offense alleged was against persons or property with greater weight being given to the offense against persons, especially if personal injury resulted;

(4) Whether the offense alleged is a part of a repetitive pattern of offenses which indicates that the child may be beyond rehabilitation under the juvenile code;

(5) The record and history of the child, including experience with the juvenile justice system, other courts, supervision, commitments to juvenile institutions and other placements;

(6) The sophistication and maturity of the child as determined by consideration of his home and environmental situation, emotional condition and pattern of living;

(7) The age of the child;

(8) The program and facilities available to the juvenile court in considering disposition; and

(9) Whether or not the child can benefit from the treatment or rehabilitative programs available to the juvenile court[; and

(10) Racial disparity in certification].

7. If the court dismisses the petition to permit the child to be prosecuted under the general law, the court shall enter a dismissal order containing:

(1) Findings showing that the court had jurisdiction of the cause and of the parties;

(2) Findings showing that the child was represented by counsel;

(3) Findings showing that the hearing was held in the presence of the child and his counsel; and

(4) Findings showing the reasons underlying the court's decision to transfer jurisdiction.

8. A copy of the petition and order of the dismissal shall be sent to the prosecuting attorney.

9. When a petition has been dismissed thereby permitting a child to be prosecuted under the general law, the jurisdiction of the juvenile court over that child is forever terminated, except as provided in subsection 10 of this section, for an act that would be a violation of a state law or municipal ordinance.

10. If a petition has been dismissed thereby permitting a child to be prosecuted under the general law and the child is found not guilty by a court of general jurisdiction, the juvenile court shall have jurisdiction over any later offense committed by that child which would be considered a misdemeanor or felony if committed by an adult, subject to the certification provisions of this section.

11. If the court does not dismiss the petition to permit the child to be prosecuted under the general law, it shall set a date for the hearing upon the petition as provided in section 211.171.

211.181. 1. When a child or person seventeen years of age is found by the court to come within the applicable provisions of subdivision (1) of subsection 1 of section 211.031, the court shall so decree and make a finding of fact upon which it exercises its jurisdiction over the child or person seventeen years of age, and the court may, by order duly entered, proceed as follows:

(1) Place the child or person seventeen years of age under supervision in his own home or in the custody of a relative or other suitable person after the court or a public agency or institution designated by the court conducts an investigation of the home, relative or person and finds such home, relative or person to be suitable and upon such conditions as the court may require;

(2) Commit the child or person seventeen years of age to the custody of:

(a) A public agency or institution authorized by law to care for children or to place them in family homes; except that, such child or person seventeen years of age may not be committed to the department of social services, division of youth services;

(b) Any other institution or agency which is authorized or licensed by law to care for children or to place them in family homes;

(c) An association, school or institution willing to receive the child or person seventeen years of age in another state if the approval of the agency in that state which administers the laws relating to importation of children into the state has been secured; or

(d) The juvenile officer;

(3) Place the child or person seventeen years of age in a family home;

(4) Cause the child or person seventeen years of age to be examined and treated by a physician, psychiatrist or psychologist and when the health or condition of the child or person seventeen years of age requires it, cause the child or person seventeen years of age to be placed in a public or private hospital, clinic or institution for treatment and care; except that, nothing contained herein authorizes any form of compulsory medical, surgical, or psychiatric treatment of a child or person seventeen years of age whose parents or guardian in good faith are providing other remedial treatment recognized or permitted under the laws of this state.

2. When a child is found by the court to come within the provisions of subdivision (2) of subsection 1 of section 211.031, the court shall so decree and upon making a finding of fact upon which it exercises its jurisdiction over the child, the court may, by order duly entered, proceed as follows:

(1) Place the child under supervision in his own home or in custody of a relative or other suitable person after the court or a public agency or institution designated by the court conducts an investigation of the home, relative or person and finds such home, relative or person to be suitable and upon such conditions as the court may require;

(2) Commit the child to the custody of:

(a) A public agency or institution authorized by law to care for children or place them in family homes; except that, a child may be committed to the department of social services, division of youth services, only if he is presently under the court's supervision after an adjudication under the provisions of subdivision (2) or (3) of subsection 1 of section 211.031;

(b) Any other institution or agency which is authorized or licensed by law to care for children or to place them in family homes;

(c) An association, school or institution willing to receive it in another state if the approval of the agency in that state which administers the laws relating to importation of children into the state has been secured; or

(d) The juvenile officer;

(3) Place the child in a family home;

(4) Cause the child to be examined and treated by a physician, psychiatrist or psychologist and when the health or condition of the child requires it, cause the child to be placed in a public or private hospital, clinic or institution for treatment and care; except that, nothing contained herein authorizes any form of compulsory medical, surgical, or psychiatric treatment of a child whose parents or guardian in good faith are providing other remedial treatment recognized or permitted under the laws of this state;

(5) Assess an amount of up to ten dollars to be paid by the child to the clerk of the court. Execution of any order entered by the court pursuant to this subsection, including a commitment to any state agency, may be suspended and the child placed on probation subject to such conditions as the court deems reasonable. After a hearing, probation may be revoked and the suspended order executed.

3. When a child is found by the court to come within the provisions of subdivision (3) of subsection 1 of section 211.031, the court shall so decree and make a finding of fact upon which it exercises its jurisdiction over the child, and the court may, by order duly entered, proceed as follows:

(1) Place the child under supervision in his own home or in custody of a relative or other suitable person after the court or a public agency or institution designated by the court conducts an investigation of the home, relative or person and finds such home, relative or person to be suitable and upon such conditions as the court may require;

(2) Commit the child to the custody of:

(a) A public agency or institution authorized by law to care for children or to place them in family homes;

(b) Any other institution or agency which is authorized or licensed by law to care for children or to place them in family homes;

(c) An association, school or institution willing to receive it in another state if the approval of the agency in that state which administers the laws relating to importation of children into the state has been secured; or

(d) The juvenile officer;

[(3) Beginning January 1, 1996, the court may make further directions as to placement with the division of youth services concerning the child's length of stay. The length of stay order may set forth a minimum review date;]

[(4)] (3) Place the child in a family home;

[(5)] (4) Cause the child to be examined and treated by a physician, psychiatrist or psychologist and when the health or condition of the child requires it, cause the child to be placed in a public or private hospital, clinic or institution for treatment and care; except that, nothing contained herein authorizes any form of compulsory medical, surgical, or psychiatric treatment of a child whose parents or guardian in good faith are providing other remedial treatment recognized or permitted under the laws of this state;

[(6)] (5) Suspend or revoke a state or local license or authority of a child to operate a motor vehicle;

[(7)] (6) Order the child to make restitution or reparation for the damage or loss caused by his offense. In determining the amount or extent of the damage, the court may order the juvenile officer to prepare a report and may receive other evidence necessary for such determination. The child and his attorney shall have access to any reports which may be prepared, and shall have the right to present evidence at any hearing held to ascertain the amount of damages. Any restitution or reparation ordered shall be reasonable in view of the child's ability to make payment or to perform the reparation. The court may require the clerk of the circuit court to act as receiving and disbursing agent for any payment ordered;

[(8)] (7) Order the child to a term of community service under the supervision of the court or of an organization selected by the court. Every person, organization, and agency, and each employee thereof, charged with the supervision of a child under this subdivision, or who benefits from any services performed as a result of an order issued under this subdivision, shall be immune from any suit by the child ordered to perform services under this subdivision, or any person deriving a cause of action from such child, if such cause of action arises from the supervision of the child's performance of services under this subdivision and if such cause of action does not arise from an intentional tort. A child ordered to perform services under this subdivision shall not be deemed an employee within the meaning of the provisions of chapter 287, RSMo, nor shall the services of such child be deemed employment within the meaning of the provisions of chapter 288, RSMo. Execution of any order entered by the court, including a commitment to any state agency, may be suspended and the child placed on probation subject to such conditions as the court deems reasonable. After a hearing, probation may be revoked and the suspended order executed;

[(9)] (8) When a child has been adjudicated to have violated a municipal ordinance or to have committed an act that would be a misdemeanor if committed by an adult, assess an amount of up to twenty-five dollars to be paid by the child to the clerk of the court; when a child has been adjudicated to have committed an act that would be a felony if committed by an adult, assess an amount of up to fifty dollars to be paid by the child to the clerk of the court.

4. [Beginning January 1, 1996, the court may set forth in the order of commitment the minimum period during which the child shall remain in the custody of the department of social services or any of its divisions. Beginning January 1, 1996, the department shall not discharge a child from the custody of the division of youth services before the child completes the length of stay determined by the court in the commitment order unless the committing court orders otherwise. The director of the division of youth services may at any time petition the court for a review of a child's length of stay commitment order, and the court may, upon a showing of good cause, order the early discharge of the child from the custody of the division of youth services. The department may discharge the child from the division of youth services without a further court order after the child completes the length of stay determined by the court or may retain the child for any period after the completion of the length of stay in accordance with the law.

5.] When custody of a child or person seventeen years of age is legally placed in the department of social services or any of its divisions, the department shall immediately submit its proposed treatment plan for such child or person seventeen years of age, as developed pursuant to subdivision (17) of subsection 1 of section 207.020, RSMo, to a professional evaluation team. Such a team shall be composed of a local juvenile officer, a representative of the department, a guardian ad litem, or court appointed special advocate, and where applicable, a school employee. The evaluation team shall develop a long-range permanency treatment plan for each child or person seventeen years of age within thirty days of the date upon which the department was awarded custody. The long-range treatment plan will include the following components:

(1) Type of placement which will serve the best interest and special needs of a child or person seventeen years of age and provide the least restrictive setting;

(2) Projected length of care needed by the child or person seventeen years of age and the projected cost for providing such care;

(3) Services needed by the child or person seventeen years of age and his family to facilitate reunification and the projected cost of such services;

(4) Certification from the division director or designee whether the placement and/or services recommended by the evaluation team are available. The long-range permanency treatment plan shall be submitted to the court for consideration and approval prior to the court's final entry of a treatment order. In addition, a psychiatric or psychological evaluation shall be considered by the professional evaluation team and shall be submitted to the court for consideration for any child or person seventeen years of age who, in the discretion of the professional evaluation team, could benefit from such an examination. The juvenile court judge may assess the cost of the examination to the family based on their ability to pay.

[6.] 5. In ordering implementation of a permanency treatment plan, the judge shall not order treatment with a specific provider but may reasonably designate the scope and extent of the services to be provided by the department to the child or person seventeen years of age subject to certification by the director of the division or designee that a provider and/or funds are available.

[7.] 6. The department shall proceed to implement any long-range permanency plan within thirty days of its approval by the court. If the court fails to act upon a long-range permanency treatment plan within fifteen days of its submission by the professional evaluation team, then such plan shall be implemented by the department as if approved by the court and shall remain in effect until otherwise ordered by the court.

[8.] 7. The department may seek appellate review of any long-range permanency treatment plan it is required by court order or operation of law to implement.

[9.] 8. When an assessment has been imposed under the provisions of subsection 2 or 3 of this section, the assessment shall be paid to the clerk of the court in the circuit where the assessment is imposed by court order, to be deposited in a fund established for the sole purpose of payment of judgments entered against children in accordance with section 211.185.

211.231. 1. All commitments made by the juvenile court shall be for an indeterminate period of time[, unless the child is committed pursuant to subdivision (3) of subsection 3 of section 211.181,] and shall not continue beyond the child's twenty-first birthday.

2. Whenever the court commits a child to an institution or agency, it shall transmit with the order of commitment a summary of its information concerning the child, and the institution or agency shall give to the court such information concerning the child as the court may require from time to time so long as the child is under the jurisdiction of the juvenile court.