The Youth Opportunities Act

By Ed PrinceExecutive Director, Wa. St. Commission on African American Affairs The Washington State juvenile justice system is about rehabilitation. Society and our economy benefit when rehabilitated youth reintegrate into society and become law-abiding, tax-paying members of their communities. A major barrier to reintegration is the widespread dissemination and easy public access to generally non-serious juvenile offense records in our state. 42 states in the nation believe if a young person makes a mistake they need to pay the price, rehabilitate and become a productive member of society. 8 states, including Washington, believe if a kid makes a mistake they need to pay the price but then we should be allowed to sell their mistake to private background check companies. These companies in turn publish the information on the internet which essentially prevents Washingtonians from securing employment, housing and higher education. The Youth Opportunities Act is a matter of whether Washington wants to be a fair, equitable State where our children can grow up knowing they can truly reach for the stars. We have an obligation to fulfill – when we tell our kids they can grow up to be doctors, lawyers, or president we need to make sure they can actually do those things without government standing in the way. This is a social justice and equity issue and there is no better time than the present to address this. Everyone we have talked to, both legislators and constituents believe this is an issue we need to fix this legislative session because our kids deserve a fair shake at life. The Commission on African American Affairs believes that the Youth Opportunities Act will begin the process of our youth being treated equally in our criminal justice system. Anybody that knows a juvenile knows they make mistakes. It is part of their development process and it is natural. Most folks don’t think a mistake they make as a juvenile will haunt them for the rest of their lives. Many legislators and stakeholders are shocked to find out that Washington publishes and sells those mistakes to private companies. As a result you have seen two bills introduced (House Bill 1651 and Senate Bill 6469) to stop this discriminatory practice. We will join 42 other states in the nation that do not sell or publish these records. As adults we constantly talk about the children being our future, the Youth Opportunities Act allows us to live up to that promise.