Last week, CYS Executive Director Jessica Ellis gave testimony in support of California Assembly Bill AB 2425 in front of the Public Safety committee of the Assembly.
If passed, this measure would seal youth police records when a minor has been diverted from arrest and satisfactorily completes their diversion program. Surprisingly, existing law still allows for a law enforcement agency to share records of a youth’s arrest, citation, detention, or counseling with another person or agency that has “a legitimate need.” CYS is strongly in favor of this legislation, as we believe it provides a stronger legal foundation for the work we are doing, extends further protections to minors, and offers alternatives to traditional, punitive justice.