The House has given final passage to a bill addressing some of the issues with the state's juvenile justice system.
House Bill three appropriates money to reopen a juvenile detention center in Jefferson County.
Our Casey Parker Bal is in Frankfort, where he reports on the details of one of the sessions priority pieces of legislation.
In 76 members voting on 60 members vote in the House Bill three, as amended by a House committee substitute.
One incurred in by the House is finally passed.
The sound of that gavel means House Bill three is heading to the governor's desk.
The bill appropriates over $13.4 million to renovate the Jefferson County Youth Detention Center.
The facility closed in 2019.
Reports of sexual assaults and riots at youth detention centers have led legislators to propose changes to the system, including significant changes for juveniles accused of violent crimes.
The Senate made changes to some of the most controversial language.
We had to discussion on the 48 hour detention on violent crimes.
This allows clergy, family and support organizations to come and speak to those juveniles during that 48 hour term.
Under House Bill three.
Any child accused of committing a violent felony could be detained up to 48 hours pending a detention hearing.
Detained children will be assessed by a mental health professional if the professional determines treatment is necessary.
It will be provided at the facility and be ordered to continue by the court on release and detained.
Children are allowed visitation from family members, faith based and support organizations.
But some legislators say the 48 hour hold may not be necessary.
Even though the provision won't take effect until 2024.
I do believe that if we are going to push back that 48 hour hold until 2024, I just believe that we should wait until 2024 to pass legislation because it may not be needed.
House Bill three also has language that would provide mental health services to detained children.
For Kentucky Edition, I'm Casey Parker.
Bill House Bill three also allocates $4.5 million to renovate a juvenile detention center in Linden.