The Kentucky Senate has approved a set of bills addressing the state’s troubled juvenile justice system.
Understaffing and violence have plagued juvenile detention centers in recent years.
Senate Bill 158 — sponsored by Republican David Givens — provides funding for an independent “performance review” of the Department of Juvenile Justice.
Senate Bill 162 — sponsored by Republican Danny Carroll of Benton– calls for several changes in the department. Among them: the creation of a compliance division, the establishment of a specially-trained emergency response team within each detention center, and additional mental health treatment for juvenile offenders.
Both pieces of legislation now go to the House.