Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act

Most recently reauthorized in 2018, the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act (JJDPA) embodies a partnership between the federal government and the U.S. states, territories and the District of Columbia to protect children and youth in the juvenile and criminal justice system, to effectively address high-risk and delinquent behavior and to improve community safety.  It is the only federal law that sets out national standards for the custody and care of youth in the juvenile justice system, provides direction and support for state juvenile justice system improvements, and supports programs and practices to improve youth outcomes and community safety.

View the full text of the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act (JJDPA).

View the 2018 Reauthorization Core Requirements.

Collaboration

For more information on states’ efforts working with the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) –  https://ojjdp.ojp.gov/states.

Implementation

The Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) provided formula grants to states to support their delinquency prevention and juvenile justice system improvement efforts. For information about the implementation of the JJDPA visit the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention at: https://ojjdp.ojp.gov/programs/formula-grants-program.

State Advisory Groups

The Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act (JJDPA) establishes State Advisory Groups (SAGs) in each state or U.S. territory to advise on juvenile justice issues, help maintain compliance with the core protections of the JJDPA, and develop a 3-year plan for their state’s use of JJDPA funds.