HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 71

(By Delegates Pino and Perry)

[Introduced March 3, 2004; referred to the

Committee on Rules.]


Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance study current statistical trends in juvenile delinquency, the underlying causes for juvenile delinquency, the prospect for creating a statewide program to address the multifaceted problems associated with increasing juvenile delinquency and the further prospect for addressing juvenile delinquency with school-funded programs designed to keep juveniles occupied with constructive and self esteem building activities, while projecting the fiscal requirements necessary to implement these programs.

Whereas, Juvenile delinquency remains a serious and ever-increasingly costly blight on the State that annually takes a heavy toll in terms of property loss, state sources, physical harm to innocent victims and loss of human life; and
Whereas, Traditional approaches to the problem of juvenile delinquency have not proven to be wholly effective; and
Whereas, The number of juveniles being incarcerated in this State has increased substantially during the past decade while the cost of incarceration has dramatically increased as well; and
Whereas, Creative, eclectic and innovative approaches need to be devised and implemented to address the ever-increasing and problematic specter of juvenile delinquency, and these approaches must be applied locally, regionally and statewide, depending on their efficiency and successful application within various areas of a diverse state. While some approaches may render success solely in a localized fashion due to cultural, ethnic regional or other differences, still others may universally render success, thereby justifying a uniform and statewide application; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance is hereby requested to study the current statistical trends in juvenile delinquency, the underlying causes for juvenile delinquency, the prospect for creating a statewide program to address the multifaceted problems associated with increasing juvenile delinquency and the further prospect of addressing juvenile delinquency with school funded programs designed to keep juveniles occupied with constructive and self esteem building activities, while projecting the fiscal requirements necessary to implement any recommended programs; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance report to the regular session of the Legislature, 2006, on its findings, conclusions and recommendations, together with drafts of any legislation necessary to effectuate its recommendations; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance course the involvement in and consultation with the West Virginia Judicial Association, the West Virginia Prosecuting Attorney's Association, the West Virginia Sheriff's Association, the West Virginia Chief of Police Association and the West Virginia Probation Officer's Association in regard to said study; and, be it
Further Resolved, That, at the commencement of the study, the legal staff of the Joint Committee on Government and Finance provide one full committee with a mandatory, detailed briefing on all existing state juvenile justice laws, both statutory and case law, as well as a detailed briefing as to all existing alternatives available to judges in dealing with juvenile delinquency; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the expenses necessary to prepare a report and to draft necessary legislation be paid from legislative appropriations to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance.