2021 Judicial Conference Program

to statute, rule, policy, or practice are recommended to support court-related truancy reduction efforts, including changes to Courts and Judicial Proceedings Article, Title 3, Subtitle 8C (addressing the Truancy Reduction Pilot Program), Rule 16-207 (addressing problem-solving court programs), or Rules Title 11 (addressing the juvenile court). The work group met weekly throughout the spring and produced a final report, which was approved by both committees. Juvenile Justice Reform Council This Council was established pursuant to 2019 SB 856/Ch 252, HB 606/Ch 253. Judge Michael Stamm, Chair of the Juvenile Law Committee, is the Judiciary’s representative on the Council. Juvenile Justice Forms Beginning in November, the committee will begin to review proposed juvenile justice forms from the Juvenile Justice Subcommittee. The goals and initiatives for the Juvenile Law Committee in 2021 include: • Continue the active working relationship with the Department of Human Services to improve outcomes for youth served in the child welfare system. • Continue the active working relationship with the Department of Juvenile Services to improve outcomes for youth served in the juvenile justice system. • Continue to collaborate with the Crossover Youth Practice Model as it expands to additional counties and develops the Toolkit. • Develop and implement court practices that address human trafficking in juvenile cases. • Continue to explore and develop trauma informed juvenile courts, including through the use of self-assessments. • Develop processes to address juvenile court performance through data and analysis. • Work with the Rules Committee towards finalization of the Juvenile Rules, Chapter 11. • Complete recommendations concerning training and standards for attorneys in delinquency cases and begin implementation. • Continue to support work of truancy courts. • Conduct research and develop recommendations, as needed, concerning other juvenile matters. GOALS/INITIATIVES FOR THE UPCOMING YEAR The committeemet the challenges of continuing to work during all phases of the coronavirus including through: • Committee members and staff worked virtually throughout Phase I. This included weekly virtual meetings during the legislative session. Monthly committee meetings (held virtually) resumed after the session. Subcommittee and many work groups also met regularly during Phase I. • The development of stages for resuming juvenile court work was a focus of committee and subcommittee attention. Many of the committee’s recommendations were adopted by the Chief Judge and included in various administrative orders. • Because of the need for regular exchanges of information between the Department of Juvenile Services (DJS) and the juvenile bench, weekly virtual meetings between the bench and DJS were held beginning in April and continuing through and including August. Due to limited available time caused by the reopening of the courts, the virtual meetings became monthly in September. These meetings addressed topics including infection and testing information for all DJS facilities, virtual case management services for children and their families in the community, programming in the community and in facilities, and plans for after the pandemic ended. Participating judges and magistrates were able to submit questions and topics in advance and during the calls. • Work group members and staff took advantage of the court closings in Phase 1 by increasing virtual meetings and deliverables. For example, both Juvenile Forms Working Groups met weekly to review HOW DID THE COMMITTEE NAVIGATE COVID-19 CHALLENGES?

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