1622                            JOINT RESOLUTIONS

No. 16
(Senate Joint Resolution 28)

Senate Joint Resolution requesting the Legislative Council to initiate
a study concerning the proper jurisdiction for juvenile courts
throughout the State, and the most effective means of establishing
uniform and adequate probation services to juvenile courts.

The General Assembly of Maryland is requesting the Legislative
Council to initiate a study to determine

1.    An appropriate and uniform age limit for the jurisdiction of
juvenile courts throughout the State.

2.    An appropriate age limit for the commitment of youthful
offenders to institutions for the detention and training of juveniles,
and

3.    The most effective means of establishing uniform and adequate
probation services to the juvenile courts of Maryland.

Juvenile delinquency today is regarded as one of the most serious
social problems facing the community, it being a by-product of family
breakdown, unemployment, inadequate housing and education, dis-
crimination, and other major ills of our society; and

The difference in age limits for the Juvenile Court of Baltimore
City and for the Juvenile Courts of the several counties of Maryland
has resulted in the unequal administration of justice and has rendered
difficult the planning and administration of proper institutional
facilities for youthful offenders; and

The first annual report of the Advisory Council on Child Welfare
established by Chapter 424 of the Acts of 1963 has disclosed that
Maryland has no uniform statewide probation service for juvenile
courts; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the General Assembly of Maryland, That the Legis-
lative Council is requested to initiate a study to determine an ap-
propriate and uniform age limit for the jurisdiction of Juvenile
Courts throughout the State; an appropriate age limit for the com-
mitment of youthful offenders to institutions for the detention and
training of juveniles; and the most effective means of establishing
uniform and adequate probation services to the Juvenile Courts of
Maryland; and be it further

Resolved, That the Legislative Council is requested to avail itself
of the services of the Advisory Council on Child Welfare in the mak-
ing of this study, the results of which shall be made available to the
General Assembly at the beginning of the 1966 Legislative Session;
and be it further

Resolved, That a copy of this resolution be sent to the Legislative
Council of Maryland.

Approved May 4, 1965.