DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part of the
legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute part of the law
or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
HB 229 Original 2016 Regular Session Smith
Abstract: Expands juvenile court jurisdiction in delinquency cases to include 17-year olds.
Present constitution (Ch. C., Art. V, ยง19) requires the determination of guilt or innocence, the
detention, and the custody of person who is alleged to have committed a crime prior to his 17th
birthday to be pursuant to special juvenile procedures provided by law.
For purposes of juvenile court jurisdiction in delinquency cases, present law (Ch.C. Art. 804) defines
"child" as any person under the age of 21, including an emancipated minor, who commits a
delinquent act before attaining 17 years of age.
Proposed law amends this definition, expanding juvenile court jurisdiction in delinquency cases, to
include 17-year olds.
Proposed law further amends provisions of present law regarding expungement and placement of
a child receiving mental health treatment as part of a delinquency proceeding to reflect this proposed
law expansion of juvenile court jurisdiction in delinquency cases to include 17-year olds.
(Amends Ch.C. Art. 804(1), 837(H), 917, and 919(A))