On September 7, 2024, the Department of Justice marked the 50th anniversary of the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act (JJDPA). This landmark legislation set federal standards for the safe and equitable treatment of young people who encounter the juvenile justice system and established OJJDP to lead national efforts to prevent and reduce juvenile delinquency.
The JJDPA has received broad bipartisan support throughout its history. The original act has been reauthorized over the years with major changes occurring in 2018 with the Juvenile Justice Reauthorization Act. This timeline chronicles the legislative changes to the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act from its passage in 1974 to its last reauthorization in 2018.
“For the last 50 years, the JJDPA has been the benchmark for juvenile justice reform, guiding states across the nation and championing investments in best practices that are grounded in research on adolescent development and more effectively reduce delinquency and advance community safety.”
OJP Acting Assistant Attorney General Brent J. Cohen.
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RESOURCES:
- Visit our webpage to learn more about the JJDPA and core requirements.
- Follow OJJDP on X formerly known as Twitter and Facebook.