TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (The News Service of Florida) - A top Senate Republican on Tuesday filed a proposal that could lead to expanded use of diversion programs for juveniles who commit misdemeanor crimes.
Sen. Anitere Flores, a Miami Republican who is the Senate president pro tempore, filed the measure (SB 196) for consideration during the 2017 legislative session, which starts in March.
It comes amid a move to increase the use of civil citations and similar diversion programs to keep juvenile offenders out of detention facilities.
In part, the bill calls for the establishment of civil-citation or similar diversion programs in each county.
It also would require law-enforcement officers to issue citations or require participation in diversion programs if juveniles admit committing first-time misdemeanor offenses, such as possessing alcohol under age 21, battery, criminal mischief, trespassing or theft.
