The Mississippi Legislature adjourned its special session sine die after passing legislation intended to move the state toward a full-time, uniform youth court system, a Facebook post announcing the adjournment said.
The post praised Republican legislators for supporting the measure and said they rejected efforts by Democrats to preserve what the post described as a fragmented status quo that would reduce transparency and allow violent youths to continue harming communities.
The legislation, the post said, aims to enhance the state’s ability to help children who are abused and neglected and to continue reforms at the Mississippi Department of Child Protection Services. It also said the measure balances public safety with protections for due process and intends to hold accountable youths who cannot be helped while helping those who can.
The post thanked several lawmakers by name, including Speaker White, Representative Horan, Representative Owen, Representative Cockerham, Lieutenant Governor Hosemann, Senator Wiggins and Senator Hopson, and called the outcome a team effort. Background: youth courts typically handle juvenile delinquency and child welfare matters and reforms can affect how young people are rehabilitated and prosecuted.
This is a developing story and will be updated as more details emerge.
