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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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State
Rep. Todd A. Eachus |
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Eachus: House passes bipartisan, inter-branch measure
addressing judicial corruption
HARRISBURG, June 29 – The Pennsylvania House of Representatives on Monday unanimously passed a measure introduced by state Rep. Todd A. Eachus, D-Luzerne, which would create an Inter-branch Commission on Juvenile Justice.
Eachus said his legislation (H.B. 1648) is the product of a joint effort by leaders from all three branches of Pennsylvania government. Eachus worked alongside state Sen. Lisa Baker, R-Luzerne; Pennsylvania Supreme Court Chief Justice Ronald D. Castille; and Gov. Edward G. Rendell to develop this bipartisan, over-arching approach to examine the judicial corruption case in Luzerne County and seek to restore public confidence in Pennsylvania's juvenile courts.
The commission would investigate the fundamental problems that led to the corruption in Luzerne County and how the county juvenile justice system failed.
"This legislation will enable the state to see what went wrong in Luzerne County, what needs to be done to restore public trust and how to prevent similar events from occurring in any county in Pennsylvania," Eachus said. "We must learn from what happened in Luzerne County and examine the systemic flaws in our juvenile justice proceedings that may have led to the corruption and abuse that occurred there. We owe it to the people of Pennsylvania to do whatever it takes to ensure that this never happens again anywhere in Pennsylvania."
The 11-member Inter-branch Commission on Juvenile Justice would meet at least once a month, with the first meeting to be held within 45 days of the commission's formation. Members would not be compensated for their service on the commission, but they would be reimbursed for expenses incurred in service to the commission. Under the legislation, the commission must submit a report of its findings and recommendations to the governor, the state Supreme Court, the Senate and the House of Representatives by May 31, 2010.
If approved, the Inter-branch Commission on Juvenile Justice Act would take effect immediately and would expire on June 30, 2010.
"This legislation is a truly bipartisan effort from leaders in all branches of our state government," Eachus said. "I commend Chief Justice Castille, Governor Rendell and Senator Baker for working with me to draft this proposal. This commission will help answer many questions surrounding the Luzerne County corruption case and provide recommendations on how we can strengthen our juvenile justice system in the future."