Legislative Update
Matt Walcoff



AS FAR FEDERAL Update July 22, 1997

      There are a million things you can do to fight anti-youth laws. The simplest is to call your legislator and let him or her know your stand. Remind them that the party for which someone votes first is usually the party they associate with for life (or a long time, anyway).

      A list of senators can be reached online at www.senate.gov/~_____ (senator's last name). For example, Sen. Ted Kennedy is at www.senate.gov/~kennedy. You can find your House members at www.house.gov/writerep/.

Federal legislation dealing with curfew laws:

  • Bill: S. 10
  • Title: Violent and Repeat Juvenile Offender Act of 1997
  • Submitted by: Sen. Hatch. Backed mainly by Republicans
  • In brief: Encourages trying juveniles as adults and reducing gang activity.
  • Objectionable portions: Amendments to the following portions of the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act of 1974:
    -Title I, Sec. 101 (11). States that communities should not be discouraged from incarcerating status offenders, especially curfew violators.
    -Sec. 204 (h)(IV)(H). Would allow federal grant money to be used for curfew enforcement.
  • Chance of passage: Likely if H.R. 3 fails, but would probably also face a presidential veto, as the president opposes some of the imprisonment provisions.
  • Committee: Judiciary -- Youth Violence
  • Action: Subcommittee hearings held and returned to Judiciary committee. Hearings there scheduled for July 23 and 24.
  • Bill: S. 718
  • Title: Juvenile Crime Control and Community Protection Act of 1997
  • Submitted by: Sen. Dominici
  • In Brief: Allows for more juveniles to be tried as adults and creates grants for juvenile crime prevention.
  • Objectionable portion: Title II, Part C, Sec. 242 (c)(4). Would create incentives for communities to enact curfew laws. Under the bill, communities would be eligible for a federal grant if they fill five of six requirements, one of which would be to have a curfew law.
  • Chance of passage: Probably not likely, since S. 10 is supported by more of the Senate leadership.
  • Committee: Judiciary
  • Status: Still in committee, no action taken.
  • Bill: S. 15
  • Title: Youth Violence, Crime, and Drug Abuse Control Act of 1997
  • Submitted by: Sen. Daschle. Backed mainly by Democrats.
  • In Brief: Large bill dealing with many subjects, including crime, drugs, and domestic violence.
  • Objectionable portion: Title II, Subtitle B, Sec. 215 (c)(1)(A). Would create incentives for enforcement of status offense laws. Status offenses are offenses that would not be considered criminal if committed by someone above a certain age. Under this section, communities would be eligible for federal grants to ensure "certain punishment" of status offenders.
  • Change of passage: Possible if the Republican crime bills fail.
  • Committee: Judiciary -- Youth Violence
  • Status: Still in subcommittee.
  • Bill: S. 362, H.R. 810
  • Title: Anti-Gang and Youth Violence Act of 1997
  • Submitted by: Sen. Leahy, Rep. Schumer
  • In brief: Targets juvenile crime, illegal gun trafficking and gang violence.
  • Objectionable portion: Title III, Sec. 3002. Would allow federal grant money to be used for curfew enforcement.
  • Chance of passage: Not likely.
  • Committees: Sen: Judiciary, House: Education -- Early Childhood, Youth and Families, AND Judiciary -- Crime
  • Action: Still in committees, no action taken.
  • Bill: S. 3
  • Title: Omnibus Crime Control Act of 1997.
  • Submitted by: Sen. Hatch. Supported mainly by Republicans.
  • In brief: Combination of several crime bills.
  • Objectionable portions: Title IX, Subtitle C, `Title I, Sec. 101 (11) and Sec. 204 Sec. 204 (h)(IV)(H). Identical to portions of S. 10.
  • Chance of passage: Same as S. 10.
  • Action: Still in committee, no action taken.


    • Federal legislation dealing with the drinking age and driving ages:

  • Bill: H.R. 1268, S. 468
  • Title: National Economic Crossroads Transportation Efficiency Act of 1997
  • Submitted by: Rep. Shuster, Sen. Chafee
  • In brief: Large bill reauthorizing transportation spending.
  • Objectionable portions:
    -Title II, Sec. 2002 (f) (`k)(`1)(`B). Would create federal grants for drinking age enforcement.
    -Title II, Sec. 2002 (f) (`k)(`1)(`E). Would create federal grants for "graduated license programs," with required nighttime driving curfews.
  • Chance of passage: Unlikely, since there is a Republican version of this bill.
  • Committees: House: Transportation and Infrastructure -- Surface Transportation AND Ways and Means. Senate: Environment and Public Works AND Finance
  • Action: Still in committees, no action taken.