NCSL Hosts First Convening of Youth Justice Fellows
NCSL’s first Youth Justice Fellows Program is a yearlong, peer-learning opportunity designed to support legislators who are experienced or emerging leaders on youth justice issues. Seventeen fellows from across the country kicked off the program in Denver in May.
Read more at Youth Justice Fellows Program.

Legislative Primer Series on Front-End Justice: Competency to Stand Trial
This new report provides an overview of the competency to stand trial restoration process in the states and statutory approaches taken to address competency evaluation and restoration waitlists including diversion, jail-based restoration and outpatient restoration.
Read more at Legislative Primer Series on Front-End Justice: Competency to State Trial.
States Make Gains in Battle Against Rape Kit Backlogs
With kits languishing sometimes for years in police or lab storage facilities, lawmakers are renewing efforts to eliminate their inventories. Between 2013 and 2024, 33 states enacted bills that provide state funds to address backlogs.
Read more at States Make Gains in Battle Against Rape Kit Backlogs.
Related: Colorado's crime lab has been in crisis. Here's how another state fixed theirs.
The Use of Solitary Confinement on Youth
Description: State statutes, regulations, and agency policies allowing the use of solitary confinement/seclusion/room confinement on youth, the justifications for doing so and conditions of confinement.
Read more at The Use of Solitary Confinement on Youth.
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