HARRISBURG, PA — A bipartisan group of Pennsylvania lawmakers has announced a new statewide initiative aimed at improving safety and support systems for young people across the Commonwealth. Led by state Reps. Carol Kazeem and Heather Boyd, both D-Delaware, and Andre Carroll, D-Philadelphia, the initiative is part of the relaunched House PA Youth & Public Safety Caucus.
The effort focuses on examining current outcomes for youth and developing policy recommendations to enhance their well-being and community safety. The lawmakers plan to partner with youth-led organizations, law enforcement, emergency services, family advocates, and community leaders to shape evidence-based solutions.
Kazeem, who serves as caucus chair, said the initiative is a direct response to concerns raised by young Pennsylvanians and the ongoing challenges in the juvenile justice system. “The relaunch of the caucus is a renewal of our promise as legislators to listen to the concerns of our young people, to advocate for their future, and create policies that will protect and empower them,” Kazeem said. “Youth and public safety are not separate issues; they are deeply intertwined.”
The caucus will build on recommendations made by the Pennsylvania Juvenile Justice Task Force in 2021, which outlined 35 strategies to improve outcomes and reduce harm within the system. Despite these recommendations, lawmakers acknowledged that few reforms have been implemented so far.
Boyd emphasized the importance of a data-driven, compassionate approach. “It’s our duty as lawmakers to prioritize the safety and well-being of our youth,” she said. “This caucus will follow research-based policies that lead with both compassion and fairness.”
Carroll highlighted the need to shift from incarceration toward prevention and community-based support. “Our communities in Philadelphia, and across the commonwealth, are paying the price for a juvenile justice system that too often relies on incarceration rather than prevention and support,” he said. “Every young Pennsylvanian deserves the opportunity to get help at the right moment and work toward a future where they can thrive.”
House Speaker Joanna McClinton, D-Philadelphia, also voiced her support, noting that children’s well-being should be central to policymaking. “Young people have great ideas for improving public safety in our communities, and I look forward to partnering with youth-led organizations and other stakeholders to craft policies responsive to the needs of our young people,” she said.
Other lawmakers and advocates echoed similar sentiments. State Rep. Melissa Shusterman, D-Chester, called for greater investment in youth to ensure they are prepared to participate in the economy and contribute to their communities. State Rep. Emily Kinkead, D-Allegheny, stressed the urgency of enacting long-overdue reforms and expressed support for advancing the CARE Package for Juvenile Justice to reduce recidivism.
Dan Miller, D-Allegheny, underscored the need for an equitable system that reflects the needs and potential of young people. Meanwhile, education advocates like Maura McInerney of the Education Law Center-PA argued that denying incarcerated youth access to quality education severely limits their future opportunities.
Stephanie Arbutina of Children First and Malik Pickett of the Juvenile Law Center both praised the caucus’s efforts, emphasizing the need to move away from punitive measures for minor offenses and toward interventions that support growth and rehabilitation.
The caucus’s statewide initiative represents a significant step toward rethinking how Pennsylvania supports its young people, aiming to replace outdated punitive models with community-focused, youth-driven solutions.
For the latest news on everything happening in Chester County and the surrounding area, be sure to follow MyChesCo on Google News and MSN.