Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that would strengthen penalties for juvenile criminals, establish youth rehabilitation programs and create other programs to reduce youth criminal activity.

Highlights:

• Authorizes juveniles 14 or older to be tried as adults in federal court if they commit serious violent or drug-related crimes.

• Subjects a juvenile who is charged as an adult in federal court to the same procedures and penalties as adults, but prohibits sentencing anyone under age 18 to death.

• Prohibits housing juvenile offenders in the same facilities as adults, but allows certain rural areas with limited juvenile facilities wider latitude in this regard.

• Authorizes $5 billion over the next five years for programs to prevent juvenile crime, including $450 million in block grants to states for juvenile accountability programs and $435 million for prevention programs.

• Strengthens penalties for individuals recruiting youths into street gangs.

• Establishes the National Parenting Support and Education Commission to provide parents with advice on how to keep their children away from crime.

• Requires mandatory background checks prior to the sale of firearms at gun shows or pawn shops.

• Increases penalties for possession of firearms by a juvenile, possession of firearms or ammunition on school property, and transfer of weapons or ammunition to a juvenile.

• Requires child safety devices be sold with all handguns.

• Prohobits Internet sales of weapons or explosives.

• Calls for a study of the effect of violence in video games and music on children.

Full Bill Text

Full Bill Text