Pennsylvania HB 1021: An Act amending Title 16 (Counties) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in grounds and buildings, repealing provisions relating to room or building for juvenile offenders awaiting trial and providing for rooms or buildings for juveniles; and repealing provisions relating to special provisions for temporary county buildings and for rooms in county buildings in counties of the second class A.

Bill Text

PRINTER'S NO. 1101
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No. 1021
Session of
2025
INTRODUCED BY KAZEEM, SANCHEZ, GIRAL, HILL-EVANS, CEPEDA-
FREYTIZ, HANBIDGE, FLEMING, DALEY, CIRESI, OTTEN, GREEN AND
CURRY, MARCH 24, 2025
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON CHILDREN AND YOUTH, MARCH 24, 2025
AN ACT
Amending Title 16 (Counties) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated
Statutes, in grounds and buildings, repealing provisions
relating to room or building for juvenile offenders awaiting
trial and providing for rooms or buildings for juveniles; and
repealing provisions relating to special provisions for
temporary county buildings and for rooms in county buildings
in counties of the second class A.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Section 16137 of Title 16 of the Pennsylvania
Consolidated Statutes is repealed:
[§ 16137. Room or building for juvenile offenders awaiting
trial.
The county commissioners of the third, fourth, fifth, sixth,
seventh and eighth class shall provide, furnish and heat within
the county a separate room or rooms or a suitable building to be
used exclusively for the confinement of any and all alleged or
adjudicated delinquent children or dependent children as defined
in 42 Pa.C.S. § 6302 (relating to definitions) who may be in
custody awaiting trial or hearing in the courts of the county,
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and provide for the maintenance and care of the children while
in custody.]
Section 2. Title 16 is amended by adding a section to read:
§ 16137.1. Rooms or buildings for juveniles.
(a) Requirement.-- The county commissioners of a county shall
provide, furnish and heat within the county a separate room or
rooms or a suitable building to be used exclusively for the
confinement, detention, reception, maintenance and care of
juveniles.
(b) Board of managers.--
(1) A board of managers shall manage each room or
building under this section. The board of managers shall
consist of:
(i) Three county commissioners or the county
executive of the county in which the room or building is
located.
(ii) The county controller of the county in which
the room or building is located, if the county has
established the office of county controller.
(iii) Six private citizens, who:
(A) May not be officers or employees of the
county in which the room or building is located.
(B) Represent a cross section of citizens with
relevant expertise in juvenile development, juvenile
detention, mental health disorders and substance use
disorders.
(C) Shall be appointed as follows:
(I) Three of the private citizens shall be
appointed by the president judge of the court of
common pleas in the county in which the room or
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building is located.
(II) Three of the private citizens shall be
appointed by the chairperson of the board of
county commissioners in the county in which the
room or building is located.
(2) A public official specified under paragraph (1)(i)
or (ii) may appoint a designee to attend any meeting of the
board of managers. The designee shall have the right to vote
at the meeting.
(3) The members of a board of managers existing in the
county on the effective date of this paragraph shall remain
as members of the board until the expiration of the terms to
which the members of the board were appointed. Annually
thereafter, the members of the board and their successors
shall be appointed for a term of three years.
(4) Each vacancy occurring in the membership of a board
of managers shall be filled for the unexpired term in the
same manner as the original appointment.
(5) The members of a board of managers shall serve
without compensation.
(c) Superintendent and staff members.--
(1) A board of managers may appoint a superintendent and
additional staff members as may be necessary.
(2) The county in which the board of managers is located
shall pay the salaries of the superintendent and additional
staff members.
(3) The salary board of the county in which the board of
managers is located shall fix th e number and compensation of
the staff members of the board of managers.
(d) Department of Human Services.--The Department of Human
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Services shall adopt or promulgate rules or regulations as
necessary and appropriate regarding the composition of boards of
managers.
(e) Expenses and payments.--
(1) The county commissioners or the county executive of
a county shall make an annual appropriation to each board of
managers in the county for the payment of the expenses of
administering the room or building.
(2) The expenses incurred in the performance of duties
by a board of managers must be itemized and presented with
vouchers to the county commissioners or the county executive
for payment.
(3) Each board of managers shall make a semiannual
expen