Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill to amend the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act of 1974, amend the Safe Streets Act of 1968 and appropriate funds to create a National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

Highlights:

• Authorizes $5 million in funding to establish the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children for Fiscal Years 1999 through 2002.

• Defines "violent crime" as murder or non-negligent manslaughter, forcible rape, robbery, or aggravated assault committed with the use of a firearm.

• Increases the time that juveniles can be housed in adult facilities before their initial court appearance from 24 hours to 48 hours before their initial court appearance.

• Requires states to make child welfare records relating to juvenile criminal defendants available to the courts.

• Directs the Attorney General to report annually to Congress on the number of juveniles declared delinquent or tried as adults in Federal court.

• Requires that a juvenile be prosecuted as an adult if the juvenile has requested in writing upon advice of counsel to be prosecuted as an adult, or is alleged to have committed an act after attaining age 14 which if committed by an adult would be a serious violent felony or a specified drug offense.

• Directs the United States Sentencing Commission to develop a list of possible sanctions for juveniles declared delinquent.

Full Bill Text

Full Bill Text

Full Bill Text