Leepan wants to combine juvenile probation with adult probation services
Rep. Joseph Leepan Guerrero (R-Saipan) has authored a bill to transfer the juvenile probation unit under the CNMI Division of Youth Services to the local courts.
House Bill 19-145 finds that the Office of Adult Probation Supervision, under the Commonwealth Superior Court, “serves the same purpose and performs the same functions” as the DYS’ juvenile probation unit.
The bill states that the “consolidation” of the two separate services will provide an opportunity for partnership, sharing of resources in management, training, administrative support, and grant functions.
“Allowing for juvenile delinquents to be properly supervised by the Commonwealth Superior Court will allow for these troubled youth to become active and productive members of society for a better and brighter future,” the bill states.
The bill also states that transferring these functions from DYS will allow the Department of Community of Cultural Affairs, which DYS is under, to focus on other divisions and program.
