Maryland House OKs juvenile justice measure in response to rising auto thefts, gun possession

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) — The Maryland House approved a measure on Friday designed to improve accountability and rehabilitation in the juvenile justice system in response to an increase in some crimes like auto theft and handgun violations in parts of the state.

The House, which is controlled by Democrats, voted 126-6 for the measure, with six Democrats opposing it. The Senate is moving forward with a largely similar bill, with some differences that the two chambers will need to work out.

Part of the bill that has been getting a lot of attention relates to how the state would handle auto theft cases involving children between 10 and 12, as authorities in Baltimore have cited an increase in juvenile auto thefts.

Now, children under 13 can only be charged with violent offenses. Earlier in the session, lawmakers were considering expanding the jurisdiction of the Maryland Department of Juvenile Services to children under 13 for firearms-related offenses, auto thefts, third-degree sexual offenses and aggravated animal abuse.

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