Gov. Brown signs youth sentencing reform bill into law

PORTLAND, Ore. – Changes are coming to the juvenile justice system in Oregon as Governor Kate Brown signed a new youth sentencing reform bill in to law on Monday.

Senate Bill 1008 creates new standards when serious juvenile offenders are eligible for release, and eliminates adult prosecution for certain offenses when minors are charged.

The governor’s office says children are different from adults, and sentencing for crimes should reflect that to ensure that youth offenders have a chance to rehabilitate, before they re-offend.

“I think what we will be doing is making sentencing policy based on data, and ensuring that our communities are safe. I think it's excellent policy and I am very proud of Oregon today,” said Gov. Brown.

You can watch Gov. Brown sign the bill below:

Republican Senator Jackie Winters, who died after a battle with cancer this year, was one of the strong backers of SB-1008 and other measures in a sweeping juvenile justice reform package.

Winters thanked fellow lawmakers for passing the bill that offers youthful offenders "hope and a chance for redemption."

"Justice reform has been my passion for many years, and I am so pleased that we got this bill across the finish line,” Winters added.

Governor Brown mentioned Winters during a Q&A session following the signing:

More from Gov. Brown's office:

The legislation was supported broadly by individuals and organizations in the criminal justice community, including Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum, the Oregon Youth Authority (OYA), the Board of Parole, the Oregon Department of Corrections, county juvenile directors, and numerous judges, attorneys, and advocacy organizations.

The legislation represents the most significant reform to Oregon’s juvenile justice system since 1995, when voters passed Measure 11 and OYA was created. Since then, OYA has been on a path of transformation, moving from a model of secure facilities that provide some treatment and education, to a model of treatment and education facilities that are also secure. This law will help bring the entire juvenile justice system in line with that transformation and be more consistent with what research says is most effective for protecting the public and maximizing good outcomes.