Juvenile justice is a perennial issue in the states that often requires considering the appropriate balance between healthy development of children and adolescents and the need to hold young offenders accountable and keep communities safe. State legislatures remain central to planning and reform of juvenile justice, making both policy and budgetary decisions that affect juvenile justice and local criminal justice systems. NCSL provides resources tracking juvenile justice legislation, reports on important issues, newsworthy innovations and frequently updated 50-state law compilations to educate and inform policymakers on all youth justice related issues.