This OJJDP Fact Sheet describes the major components of the Juvenile Justice Reform Act (JJRA) of 2018, with attention to key amendments it makes to the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (JJDP) Act of 1974.
The JJRA's key amendments to the JJDP Act pertain to the effective application dates, definition of terms, annual reporting requirements, state allocations, state plan requirements, and the distribution of funds not allocated due to state noncompliance. Regarding the effective application data, the JJRA amendments apply to FY 2020 and subsequent awards, but do not apply in FY 2019 and earlier awards. Regarding definition of terms, they have changed for some of the terms used in the statute, including "adult inmate," "contact," "Indian Tribe," and "jail or lockup for adults." Regarding annual reporting requirements for the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP), additional reporting requirements on states are not imposed. Amendments related to state allocations pertain to minimum allocation, planning and administration, and state advisory group allocation. Amendments related to state plan requirements focus on publication on state's website, the State Advisory Group, juvenile crime analysis, program areas, juveniles treated as adults, system of compliance monitoring, racial and ethnic disparities, and additional information required in state plans. Another key amendment pertains to funds not allocated due to state noncompliance with core requirements. Under the JJRA, these funds will be reallocated to states that are in compliance and for training and technical assistance to states to support compliance with the core requirements. JJRA sections for each of the key amendments are cited.