Abstract
This report provides an analytical framework for understanding the rationale, structure, and expected impact of the modular Model Juvenile Justice Act for U.S. states. It explains the need for a shared reform architecture, identifies systemic problems addressed by the Act, justifies the eight-module design, and outlines indicative performance measures and conditions for implementation.
The analysis addresses fragmented state statutes, uneven alignment with constitutional youth jurisprudence, the school-to-prison pipeline, transfer to adult court, racial and ethnic disparities, and data gaps. It connects those problems with proposed statutory responses and discusses implementation risks, institutional capacity, stakeholder engagement, phased adoption, key performance indicators, public reporting, and evaluation.