Lawmaker lauds proposals as another means of supporting military families
DOVER — Lawmakers filed legislation Thursday aimed at supporting military families and enhancing juvenile justice on military installations within the state.
Together, the measures, both sponsored by Rep. Nnamdi Chukwuocha, would give military families priority in school choice and charter enrollment, and change how crimes involving juveniles are handled on military installations within the state.
“We need to do better for our children, especially regarding their rights and treatment by within our justice systems,” said Rep. Nnamdi Chukwuocha. “There’s a reason why we’ve established different court systems and judicial regulations for those younger than 18, and it’s time to correct a judicial deficit with House Bill 356.”
“The legislation I’ve introduced will ensure juveniles are given access to every resource they’re entitled to as juvenile offenders in Delaware, regardless of where the alleged crime occurred, or where they reside. It’s time to bring juvenile judicial equality to the forefront and I’m eager to move this bill through the House Judiciary Committee and into the House Chamber in the near future.”
HB 356 would address deficiencies in the juvenile justice system on military installations by allowing Delaware to seek concurrent jurisdiction over juvenile-related crimes that occur on military installations within the state.
Under current law, the investigation and prosecution of juveniles for alleged violations of crimes that occur on military installations falls solely under the jurisdiction of the federal court system. However, this system often tries juveniles as adults and lacks the specialized resources necessary to address the unique needs of young offenders.
Rep. Chukwuocha also introduced House Bill 353, legislation that would improve school options for military families residing in the First State.
“Our servicemen and women already sacrifice so much for all of us, school choice and enrollment shouldn’t be another worry for a military family,” Rep. Chukwuocha said. “It’s time to modify Delaware’s enrollment policies and offer improved schooling options. HB 353 will end school enrollment disadvantages for that comes from military-directed assignments.”
“Children of service members often endure challenges that many other children never face due to frequent relocations that come with the deployments of their parents or guardians,” said Sen. Kyle Evans Gay, the Senate prime sponsor of HB 353 and HB 356. “These bills continue our work to help military child find stability and support, as well as access to critical Delaware state services.”
Recognizing that military families are at a disadvantage when it comes to school enrollment options due to military-directed assignments, HB 353 would grant children of active military members, full-time reservists priority in choice and charter enrollment.
While Delaware’s school choice program allows Delaware families, regardless of their home address, to apply to enroll their children in any Delaware public school district, charter school or vocational-technical school, the state has a policy that gives priority to certain categories of students.
HB 353 would add children of those in the military to that list. The bill has been assigned to the House Education Committee.
Both bills are part of the Department of Defense’s 2024 State Policy Priorities.
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