Raise the Age

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Mission

To implement raising the age of criminal responsibility from age 16 to 18 in New York State.

Organization and Staffing

The implementation of Raise the Age is an inter-agency effort that involves collaboration across various State agencies and departments, including, but not limited to: the Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS), the Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS), the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS), the Office of Court Administration (OCA), and the Justice Center for the Protection of People with Special Needs (JC).

Budget Highlights

The FY 2023 Executive Budget continues the support for raising the age of criminal responsibility to age 18. Raising the age of criminal responsibility to 18 better aligns current practice with research that shows incarcerating adolescents in adult jails and prisons has significant negative impacts on youth, including higher suicide rates and increased recidivism.

The FY 2023 Executive Budget includes $250 million in appropriation authority, which is consistent with FY 2022 levels, to support State and local costs for comprehensive programs, including diversion, probation, and other programming services for 16- and 17-year-old youth who will be involved in the juvenile justice system.

Program Highlights

The age of criminal responsibility was raised to 17 on October 1, 2018, and then to age 18 on October 1, 2019. These reforms are intended to divert youth from placement and give them the best chance at turning their lives around while ensuring public safety.

ALL FUNDS
APPROPRIATIONS
(dollars)
Category Available
FY 2022
Appropriations
Recommended
FY 2023
Change From
FY 2022
Reappropriations
Recommended
FY 2023
Aid To Localities 250,000,000 250,000,000 0 531,878,000
Total 250,000,000 250,000,000 0 531,878,000

AID TO LOCALITIES
ALL FUNDS FINANCIAL REQUIREMENTS BY FUND TYPE
APPROPRIATIONS
(dollars)
Fund Type Available
FY 2022
Recommended
FY 2023
Change
General Fund 250,000,000 250,000,000 0
Total 250,000,000 250,000,000 0

AID TO LOCALITIES
ALL FUNDS FINANCIAL REQUIREMENTS BY PROGRAM
APPROPRIATIONS
(dollars)
Program Available
FY 2022
Recommended
FY 2023
Change
Raise the Age
General Fund 250,000,000 250,000,000 0
Total 250,000,000 250,000,000 0

Note: Most recent estimates as of 05/11/2020