Maryland Manual 1996-1997 Department of Juvenile Justice / 403

616, Acts of 1971) By 1973, m home or community care for the CINS virtually was mandated, when it
became unlawful to commit any child except an adjudicated delinquent to a juvenile institution (Chapter
737, Acts of 1973)

Department of Juvenile Services After the 1945 revision of the juvenile causes law, the juvenile justice
system diversified according to local needs, finances, and beliefs Each county handled juvenile problems
differently, with a child's needs often not adequately met The Advisory Council on Child Welfare,
established in 1963, reported to the legislature in 1965 that Maryland lacked a uniform statewide
probation service for juvenile courts Citing the unequal administration of juvenile justice, the General
Assembly called for the Legislative Council to initiate a study to determine a uniform age limit for the
Jurisdiction of Juvenile courts, an appropriate age limit for commitment of juveniles to institutions, and
the most effective way to establish standard probation services (Joint Resolution no 16, Acts of 1965)
That study led to the creation of the State Department of Juvenile Services in 1966 as the "central
coordinating agency for juvenile investigation, probation and aftercare services and for State juvenile,
diagnostic, training, detention, and rehabilitation institutions" (Chapter 126, Acts of 1966) Personnel
providing investigative, probation and after care services to juvenile courts were employees of the new
department but under the direct supervision and control of the Juvenile court Judge

The Department of Juvenile Services m 1967 assumed administrative responsibilities for all State juvenile
training schools, children's centers, and boys' forestry camps, previously overseen by the State Department of
Public Welfare At the same time, the Department of Juvenile Services initiated a single statewide program for
Juvenile probation and aftercare services, formerly provided by the counties, Baltimore City, the State
Department of Public Welfare, and the State Department of Parole and Probation In 1969, the Department
of Juvenile Services, then known as the Juvenile Services Administration, was placed within the Department
of Health and Mental Hygiene (Chapter 77,Acts of 1969) Reorganized as an independent unit, itwas renamed
the Juvenile Services Agency m 1987 (Chapter 290, Acts of 1987) The Agency was reorganized m 1989 as
the Department of Juvenile Services, a principal department of State government (Chapter 539, Acts of 1989)

Department of Juvenile Justice In 1995, the Department was renamed Department of Juvenile Justice
(Chapter 8, Acts of 1995) The Department provides individualized care and treatment, consistent with
the public safety, to youth under the age of eighteen who violate the criminal law, or are likely to violate
the law, or whose behavior is such that they may endanger themselves or others Whenever feasible, the
Department serves troubled youth in their homes or residences within the community The Department
is responsible for probation, that is, the supervision of youngsters who are adjudicated delinquent but
not institutionalized, and aftercare, the supervision and counseling of minors for a prescribed period of
time upon their release from an institution The Department also administers community based residential
programs, and nonresidential and residential services provided by private vendors

Since 1969, through field offices in each county and Baltimore City, intake officers from the Department
of Juvenile Justice receive and process complaints filed against Juveniles Most complaints come from the pohce
after a juvenile has been arrested, but parents, teachers, social workers, or any citizen may file a complaint The
intake officer makes a preliminary inquiry as to whether court proceedings are in the child's best interest and
then may dismiss the complaint, file a petition for court action, or resolve the complaint out of court through
informal supervision or diversion to community-based services Many complaints are resolved without court
action When a petition for court action is filed, the intake officer recommends whether detention is necessary
pnor to adjudicanon, and a detention hearing is held in juvenile court Next, an adjudicatory hearing determines
whether the child is delinquent or m need of supervision Then a disposition hearing decides on adequate
treatment for the child, either at home, under commuruty supervision, in an out of home residence, or for
those categorized as dangerous to themselves and others, through commitment to a secure institution The
Department is responsible for providing care to youth adjudicated delinquent or in need of supervision (CINS)
and developing programs for the "predehnquent" child, one whose behavior is likely to lead to contact with
law enforcement agencies (Chapter 480, Acts of 1971) For children m need of assistance (CINA), local
departments of social services are responsible tor their care (Chapter 343, Acts of 1991)

In the past twenty five years, the State has altered the way it cares for troubled youth Maryland no
longer relies solely on custodial care in institutions to treat juveniles who have violated the law The most
recent reform initiative of the Department is best characterized by the 1988 closing of the Montrose
School, the 1991 privatization of the Charles H Hickey, Jr, School, and expansion of community based
alternatives to institutic -ihzation Nonetheless, Juveniles who pose a nsk to public safety are confined in
detention centers For Adjudicated delinquents who cannot be served in a less restrictive setting, the
Charles H Hickey, Jr, School provides specialized education and treatment For juveniles awaiting trial
or court disposition, the Department's four detention centers provide short-term residential care The
Department also licenses private and publicly operated residential programs serving troubled youth