TOUGHER JUVENILE LAW EXPECTED TO BE TAKEN UP THIS WEEK

State lawmakers are poised to act this week on a bill that would crack down on juveniles who commit serious crimes.

Last week, House members completed debate on the bill and gave it preliminary approval. Third reading and final passage could come Thursday, which would send the bill to the Senate.

"This bill is a more comprehensive approach toward dealing with juvenile offenders that commit heinous crimes," said Rep. Joe Heckemeyer, D-Sikeston. "I think it is a very good bill."

Heckemeyer said the bill targets youthful offenders who commit major crimes.

Rep. Larry Thomason, D-Kennett, said: "The whole jest of the bill is when a juvenile commits a serious crime they will be treated as an adult. Then, once convicted of a serious crime, their records become open."

Current law prohibits children under 14 from being certified, regardless of the crime. Once a child reaches 18, they are released from the Division of Youth Services and records of their offense are closed.

The legislation requires judges to conduct certification hearings for juveniles suspected of committing murder, kidnap, first-degree assault, forcible rape, forcible sodomy, first-degree robbery or first-degree arson. A juvenile officer, prosecutor and judge would decide whether to certify a youth as an adult in those cases. The legislation also allows children of any age to be certified.

Juvenile crime legislation is a priority of leaders of both parties this legislative session. Gov. Mel Carnahan also has called for stronger juvenile crime laws.

Besides the bill moving through the House, two other measures related to juvenile crime also are moving through the process. There are also at least a half dozen bills that have been assigned to committees in the Senate.

"There is no question we will send this bill to the Senate before the week is out," said Thomason. "The thing we have done in the House is move a narrowly defined crime-and-punishment bill for juveniles."

Thomason said he fears the Senate will attempt to amend the bill with controversial preventive programs. Thomason said he prefers that any programs to help deter juvenile crime be dealt with as a separate matter.

Cape Girardeau County's two representatives, Republicans Mary Kasten and David Schwab, said they are disappointed that Democratic leaders cut off debate on the bill before all Republican amendments could be considered.

"It was such an important issue that we needed a lot more chance to try and put together a good bill," said Kasten.

She plans to review the amendments that have been added to see whether the legislation would accomplish its intentions before deciding how to vote.

Schwab said he believes the bill will pass this week. He agreed that juvenile crime must be a priority this session.

"I think we have reached the time where we have to change laws concerning juveniles," said Schwab.

Heckemeyer said he likes a provision in the bill that requires certification hearings for certain crimes. Under current law, hearings are not mandatory; they are left to the discretion of several people.

"I think somebody needs to be responsible for taking the facts into consideration and actually making a decision whether that kid acted in an adult-like manner or not," said Heckemeyer.