Youth

The Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee heard two juvenile justice reform bills that would ensure less youth are exposed to the adult criminal justice system.

A recent report found rat feces, drugs and poor medical care.

The report details rats, broken facilities and staff working mandatory overtime.

Maryland Youth Justice coalition raised broader concerns about the treatment of children in the state's legal system, following a recent HVAC failure.

The program can house up to 60 people a year.

State and city prevention initiatives seek to build connection.

Gov. Wed Moore: "We need to better understand and address what’s happening with our men and boys."

Some youth in Maryland spend more than a year in adult jails before seeing their day in court. Without a fix, the state may lose hundreds of thousands of dollars in federal funding every year.

State lawmakers are considering a measure that would significantly reduce the number of youth the state charges in adult courts.

Governor Moore calls for spending reduction on 988 suicide prevention hotline and in-school behavioral services as a youth mental health crisis increases.