Updated November 11, 2024 Forecast ’25 Special Report From education to the environment, from elections to energy, the stories in this State Legislatures News special report offer insights from NCSL experts on what lies ahead for state lawmakers in 2025. Civil and Criminal Justice Education Elections Energy Environment and Natural Resources Fiscal Health Human Services Labor and Employment Military and Veterans Affairs Technology Transportation State Legislatures News
Updated January 14, 2025 More Support, Less Punishment: Getting Young Offenders on a Better Path Research points to a new understanding about when adolescents become adults, and to new ways of thinking about their treatment in the criminal justice system. Civil and Criminal Justice Human Services State Legislatures News
Updated December 23, 2024 Eligible Voters in Jails In many states, individuals detained in jail may still have the right to vote. This page is not a 50-state review but provides examples of laws for some (not all) states where individuals are not disenfranchised for misdemeanors or convictions other than felonies. Civil and Criminal Justice Elections
Updated December 10, 2024 First Appearance | December 2024 NCSL Base Camp recap, post-election analysis, plus a roundup of front-end justice policy, research and news. Civil and Criminal Justice
Updated December 02, 2024 Juvenile Justice Legislation Database Up to date, real time information about juvenile justice legislation that has been introduced or enacted in the 50 states and the District of Columbia. Civil and Criminal Justice Database
Updated November 12, 2024 Keeping Young People Out of the Justice System The federal Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention offers grants to states to handle juvenile cases informally, often via community-based services that can reduce reoffending and increase public safety. Civil and Criminal Justice State Legislatures News
Updated November 11, 2024 New Medicaid Options Can Help Inmates Transition out of the Justice System Hot topics in criminal justice legislation for 2025 include Medicaid Section 1115 waivers; prison conditions and reentry opportunities; the behavioral health crisis; immigration; and competency to stand trial. Forecast ’25 Civil and Criminal Justice State Legislatures News
Updated October 31, 2024 First Appearance | October 2024 New NCSL resource on Indigent defense in rural areas, plus a roundup of front-end justice policy, research and news. Civil and Criminal Justice
Updated October 22, 2024 Supreme Court Hears Arguments in ‘Ghost Guns’ Case In Garland v. VanDerStok, the Supreme Court will consider whether weapon parts kits should be regulated as “firearms” under the Gun Control Act. Civil and Criminal Justice State-Federal State Legislatures News
Updated October 09, 2024 Training, Tactics Evolve as Police Adapt to New Use-of-Force Rules A model police training program in Washington state covers ways officers can work together to maintain control in difficult interactions with the public, including assessing the mental stability of a suspect and making efforts to de-escalate before resorting to force. Civil and Criminal Justice State Legislatures News
Updated September 30, 2024 First Appearance | September 2024 NCSL in North Carolina, plus a round-up of front-end justice policy, research and news. Civil and Criminal Justice
Updated September 23, 2024 Indigent Defense Services in Rural Areas This brief details state legislative approaches to promoting indigent defense services in rural areas. Civil and Criminal Justice Map