The Senate Education Committee on Feb. 2025 recommended Senate Bill 93, which would create a juvenile-justice career training pathway tied to the Talent Ready Utah framework to help recruit and credential workers for juvenile justice positions.

Senator Owens, the bill sponsor, said the measure responds to a statewide shortage of juvenile-justice staff and called the state’s juvenile justice system “a shining light in the nation.” He said the proposal is intended to help build a pipeline by allowing individuals to complete technical certification courses and enter juvenile justice careers.

Brett Peterson, director of the Division of Juvenile Justice and Youth Services, told the committee, “we really have been facing a crisis in staffing, vacancy rates, internal rates, and some of my core positions as high as, you know, 50% plus.” Peterson described the field as “in between corrections…child welfare…and treatment-based settings,” and said the certification pathway would create an accessible career entry and progression route.

Nut graf: Supporters said the bill pairs workforce development with existing state training initiatives; a brief fiscal note was discussed in committee but figures discussed in the hearing were inconsistent.

The committee heard supportive testimony from Elizabeth Kelch, criminal justice policy director for the Utah Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice (CCJJ), who said the measure is a priority for CCJJ and balances safety with care for a vulnerable population.

Senator Baldry moved to send SB 93 to the full Senate with a favorable recommendation; the committee approved the motion by voice vote and the chair ruled the recommendation unanimous.

Ending: The bill now proceeds to the Senate floor for consideration.