S643

The New York State Senate passed legislation establishing a $50 million Youth Justice Innovation Fund to expand community-based services for young people under the state's Raise the Age law. Senate Print 643, sponsored by Sen. Cleare, directs funding to organizations providing prevention, early intervention, and alternatives to detention and incarceration for youth ages 12-25. The bill passed 50-9, with nine senators voting in opposition: Ashby, Borrello, Chan, Mattera, Murray, Palumbo, Rhoads, Walczyk, and Weik. Sen. Cleare argued the fund would fulfill the promise of Raise the Age, which was enacted in 2018 and has contributed to declining youth crime rates. She noted that despite the law's success, only one-third of appropriated youth justice funds have been spent since 2019. The Innovation Fund builds on successful statewide efforts like Project Rise, which has directed over $30 million to communities for violence interruption and prevention programs. The legislation takes effect immediately.