Juvenile Justice Reform Task Force

Indiana locks up a higher proportion of children and teens than nearly any other state in the Midwest.

One law passed by the Indiana General Assembly hopes to overhaul the juvenile justice system and create changes that lawmakers and community members say are long overdue.

House Bill 1359 has passed through both chambers of the Indiana General Assembly and has nearly completed the process to become law.

A bill that targets multiple areas of juvenile justice reform passed a committee vote Wednesday.

The recommendations include setting a minimum age of 12-years-old for detainment by police and boosting support for youth reentering the community after completing detention.

The Juvenile Justice Reform Task Force is made up of members of all three branches of government, as well as outside groups that work with children.