Alaska State Legislature

News From The House Majority

Ken Freeman, Press Secretary
State Capitol
Juneau, AK 99801
phone: (907) 465-3804
web site: http://www.akrepublicans.org
Actuality line: 1-800-478-6540

Juvenile Offenders Brought Before Public Eye

For Immediate Release: April 18, 1997 Contact: Rep. Pete Kelly (907) 465-2327

JUNEAU - Two legislative initiatives linked to remove the veil of secrecy surrounding juvenile criminals, HB 6 and HCR 4, passed the Alaska House of Representatives Friday. HB 6 releases certain information to the public about repeat juvenile offenders, and felony level juvenile offenders.

HCR 4 is a technical rider to HB 6. It provides the state administration the directive it needs from the Legislature to restructure the Division of Family and Youth Services in such a way juvenile records may be released with minimal impact on federal funds.

"Currently, even violent offenders move unnoticed among our neighborhoods and schools because state law forbids their crimes to be made public. HB 6 changes that by making records of teen felons and repeat misdemeanants public," said Rep. Pete Kelly, sponsor of HB 6.

Rep. Kelly said identities of young criminals are kept secret in an attempt to protect the futures of these young offenders.

"Unfortunately, secrecy has had the unwanted effect of enabling these people in their life of crime. Young people who commit serious crimes are able to walk about the next day without any reaction from their elders or teachers, their crimes become invisible, and they develop the pathology of the serious criminal predator," said Kelly.

Kelly said the way the current system is set up, the rights of the juvenile offender are more important than the rights of the victim and potential victims.

"We don't know when our kids are playing with felons, serious predators or drug dealers," said Kelly.

"By saying only the professionals can have this information - we are saying as a community that only they can deal with the problem and as a result we have abdicated our responsibility and abandoned some of the kids who need us the most," said Kelly. "Secrecy keeps us from coming to the aid of these troubled youth as a community."

Representative Kelly said to meet the concerns about labeling Juveniles as serious criminals the bill balances public safety by examining the seriousness of the offense vs.the benefits secrecy offers a minor.

HB 6 calls for the release of a minors name if the minor has committed a prior offense and then commits a serious felony including: a crime against a person; use of a deadly weapon; arson; two or more burglaries; distribution of child pornography; promoting prostitution; delivering a controlled substance.

HB 6 and HCR 4 are part of a comprehensive package of legislation to provide Safe Neighborhoods in Alaska in line with the Majority's "Commitment to Alaska".

###

Broadcast Note: An audio actuality is available by calling 1-800-478-6540.