GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA
SESSION 2001
H	1
HOUSE BILL 1297
     

 
Short Title:	Study Gang Violence & Juvenile Crime Prevention.	()	
Sponsors:	Representatives Luebke; and Barefoot.	
Referred to:	Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House.	
April 12, 2001

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT TO AUTHORIZE THE LEGISLATIVE RESEARCH COMMISSION TO STUDY ISSUES RELATING TO GANG VIOLENCE and JUVENILE CRIME, AND consider PREVENTIVE measures AND ACCOUNTABILITY STRATEGIES that may help to divert youth and CHILDREN from gang participation and reduce juvenile crime.

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.  The Legislative Research Commission may study issues related to criminal gang activities and strategies to reduce and prevent juvenile crime more effectively.  The Commission shall consider prevention and intervention programs and accountability‑based sanctions, including incarceration, and how these can be combined to establish more effective strategies to divert youth and children from participating in gangs and reduce juvenile crime.
In conducting the study, the Commission may consider the following:
(1)	Laws and programs of other states that address gang‑related crime issues.
(2)	An evaluation of current State and local programs and the effectiveness of those programs.
(3)	Early childhood programs and educational programs that can help prevent crime and delinquency.
(4)	The effects of abuse and family violence that contribute to gang participation.
(5)	Accountability‑based sanctions and other strategies to hold juvenile offenders accountable for their actions.
(6)	Parental responsibility for juvenile offenders and how to hold parents appropriately accountable for the actions of their minor children.
(7)	The need, if any, for stricter laws and more severe penalties that focus specifically on gang‑related crimes.
(8)	Possible financial incentives or funding for local governments to encourage local programs that promote greater accountability in the juvenile justice system.
(9)	A comparison of prevention strategies, intervention strategies, and sanctions as sound public policy investments and a cost‑benefit analysis of each approach.
(10)	Any other issues relevant to this study.
SECTION 2.  The Commission may submit a progress report of its study to the 2001 General Assembly, Regular Session 2002, upon its convening and shall submit its final report to the 2003 General Assembly upon its convening. Progress and final reports of the Commission may include recommended legislation.
SECTION 3.  This act is effective when it becomes law.