Bill Haslam's juvenile justice bill advances with broad support after tweaks from judges

Gov. Bill Haslam challenged the next governor to push the state "to be the best" in his last State of the State message Monday night.
Gov. Bill Haslam challenged the next governor to push the state "to be the best" in his last State of the State message Monday night.

Gov. Bill Haslam's plan to overhaul the state's juvenile justice system moved forward with broad support Tuesday after changes were made to address some judges' concerns.

The governor's Juvenile Justice Reform Act of 2018 includes provisions that would limit the number of children who are held in state custody, particularly for minor offenses like missing school or being disobedient. The bill also sets limits for sentencing and takes steps to keep children from being transferred to adult criminal courts.

Two panels of lawmakers unanimously endorsed the bill Tuesday after minimal debate. It was the first significant legislative test for the bill, and a positive omen for one of Haslam's top priorities in 2018.

Read more at our news partner's website, tennessean.com.

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