NCJ Number
108111
Date Published
1985
Length
129 pages
Annotation
This 50-State profile identifies and summarizes new laws affecting children and youth enacted during the 1985 legislative sessions.
Abstract
The States enacted 1,140 pieces of legislation pertinent to children and youth in 1985, with child abuse and neglect, child support, and child welfare comprising the areas of greatest legislative activity. Abuse-and-neglect legislative topics include funding, penalties, prevention and treatment, procedures, reporting and investigation, sexual abuse and exploitation, and witness protection. Legislation regarding child support enforcement addresses central registry and parent locator service, child emancipation, enforcement techniques, expedited process, medical insurance, income withholding, paternity, and State income tax refund intercept. Child welfare legislative topics include adoption, foster care, funding and organization, juvenile and family courts, and termination of parental rights. Other areas of legislation were federally subsidized programs, child care, mental health, custody and visitation, domestic and family law, education, juvenile justice, legal representation, missing children, substance abuse, teen pregnancy, teen suicide, and youth employment.