ALBANY — STATE LAWMAKERS are weighing changes to how New York funds its 2017 “Raise the Age” law, but say they do not plan to roll back the policy that shifted most 16- and 17-year-olds from criminal to family court, City & State reports.
At Caucus Weekend, Feb. 14-15, Assembly Members Latrice Walker and Michaelle Solages said discussions are focused on replacing the current county reimbursement model with direct grants. “That’s something that we should take a look at,” Walker said.
County leaders have urged lawmakers to decouple aid from the 2% property tax cap, arguing reimbursement rules have left millions unused. Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark called for more information-sharing, saying sealed records can be “a loss for the child.”
Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez said, “I still think the right approach is to treat kids like kids.”
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