Youth Justice Legislative Roundup - June 2026

As many state legislative sessions continue to wind down, we’ve updated the legislation that we reported on in our last newsletter and have added some additional bills of importance to a trauma-centered approach to youth justice. We invite you to share policies that are being considered in your state so that we can track, respond, and advocate together for what young people need most. 

For the most up-to-date info, check out our 2026 Legislative Tracker.

Age of Jurisdiction

• The Hawaii legislature passed legislation (SB 2108) amending the factors that the Family Court must consider in determining whether to waive a minor to adult court to include a child's exposure to adverse childhood experiences, trauma, involvement in the child welfare system, and whether they were a victim of trafficking, sexual abuse, or rape. It is awaiting the Governor’s signature.

  
  

• In Maryland, Governor Moore signed SB323 into law, which limits the use of automatic transfers of minors to adult court. It will reduce the number of youth currently being auto transferred by approximately 50 percent.  The bill will also eventually end the practice of locking up youth in adult jails. Read more about this historic win.

  
  

  Massachusetts continues to work on legislation (S. 1061) that would gradually raise the upper age of juvenile court jurisdiction from 18 to 21 through a phased-in approach. The Senate Judiciary Committee advanced the bill favorably in late 2025 and it is now in the Senate Ways and Means Committee. 

  
  

• The fight continues in New York to keep their raise the age law from being rolled back. Until 2017, New York was one of two states treating all 16 and 17-year-olds as if they were adults. The Raise the Age law went fully into effect in 2019. It provides that youth under 18 years old be handled in juvenile court for all but the most serious offenses. 

Legal Representation & Due Process

• California law already prohibits law enforcement from seeking statements or information from a minor while working undercover. This bill  (A. 1905) would extend the prohibition to those who were minors at the time the offense was committed and are under 26 years old while in custody. The bill has passed the Assembly and been referred to the Senate Committee on Public Safety.

  
  

• No movement yet on Illinois’ bill (HB 4640/SB 2973) that would require children to have legal counsel throughout custodial interrogation in cases that could lead to an adult prosecution or sentence.  

Restorative Justice & Community-Based Models

• Illinois’ bill (HB 4639/SB 2974) to expand the use of restorative justice by encouraging juvenile justice courts to consider restorative justice alternatives at all stages of the case has passed both Houses! It is awaiting the Governor’s signature.

  
  

• No movement on New York’s legislation, entitled the Youth Justice Innovation Fund (S643), to earmark millions in unspent Raise the Age dollars and use it to directly fund community-based organizations to provide services to help young people. It remains in the Senate Finance Committee.

  
  

Restraint, Seclusion & Conditions of Confinement

• Virginia’s legislation (HB 91) directing the Department of Juvenile Justice, in collaboration with relevant stakeholders, to establish standards relating to limiting room or cell confinement for minors committed to a juvenile correctional facility has been signed into law!

Expungement

• Virginia’s bill (SB 230) allowing for the expungement of juvenile records in cases where the young person was not adjudicated delinquent has been signed into law!

  
  

If you’d like us to include legislation in your state in our next Roundup, please contact Melissa Goemann at mgoemann@nextgejustice.org.