Sec 8-322. Juvenile probation services fund; program and contract requirements

A. The juvenile probation services fund is established. The supreme court shall administer the fund. Monies in the juvenile probation services fund are exempt from the provisions of section 35-190 relating to lapsing of appropriations.

B. The supreme court shall allocate monies in the fund or appropriated to the superior court's juvenile probation services fund line based on its determination of the need for and probable effectiveness of each plan submitted pursuant to this article. The supreme court shall require that the presiding juvenile court judge submit in accordance with rules of the supreme court a plan for the expenditure of monies that are allocated to the juvenile court pursuant to this section. The supreme court may reject a plan or a modification of a plan that is submitted pursuant to this subsection.

C. Monies shall be used to fund programs, the participation in which a juvenile probation officer or community based alternative program administered by the juvenile court has required as a condition of diversion pursuant to section 8-321. Monies shall also be used to fund programs to reduce the number of repetitive juvenile offenders and to provide services for juveniles who are on probation, including treatment, testing, independent living programs and residential, foster and shelter care, and for children who are referred to the juvenile court for incorrigibility or delinquency offenses. Monies may be used to provide the cost of care for persons who are under twenty-one years of age and who were placed in an independent living program or in foster care before eighteen years of age, who voluntarily remain in care and who are currently enrolled in and regularly attending any high school or certificate of equivalency program. Pursuant to section 8-341, subsection N, monies may also be used to provide services for persons who are under twenty-one years of age and who voluntarily participate in treatment. Except pursuant to section 8-341, subsection N, the cost of care shall not be continued for a person who has received a high school diploma or certificate of equivalency. These services shall be approved by the supreme court. The juvenile court may develop and staff such programs, or the supreme court may enter into the purchase of service contracts with community youth serving agencies.

D. The administrative office of the courts may use monies appropriated to the fund for the purchase of detention facilities, to expand existing detention centers or to contract with private and public entities to expand or operate secure care facilities.

E. All monies that are distributed or expended from the fund shall be used to supplement, not supplant, funding to the juvenile court by the county.

F. The supreme court shall contract for a periodic evaluation to determine if the provisions of this article reduce the number of repetitive juvenile offenders. The supreme court shall send a copy of the evaluation to the speaker of the house of representatives, the president of the senate and the governor.

G. A contract that is entered into between the supreme court or the county attorney and any contract provider to provide services pursuant to section 8-321 or this section to juveniles shall provide that, as a condition of employment, personnel who are employed by any contract provider, whether paid or not, and who are required or allowed to provide services directly to juveniles shall have valid fingerprint clearance cards issued pursuant to title 41, chapter 12, article 3.1 or shall apply for a fingerprint clearance card within seven working days of employment.

H. The contractor shall assume the costs of fingerprint checks and may charge these costs to its fingerprinted personnel.

I. A service contract or license with any contract provider that involves the employment of persons who have contact with juveniles shall provide that the contract or license may be canceled or terminated immediately if a person certifies pursuant to subsections L and M of this section that the person is awaiting trial on or has been convicted of any of the offenses listed in subsections L and M of this section in this state or of acts committed in another jurisdiction that would be offenses in this state or if the person does not possess or is denied issuance of a valid fingerprint clearance card.

J. A contract provider may avoid cancellation or termination of the contract or license under subsection I of this section if a person who does not possess or has been denied issuance of a valid fingerprint clearance card or who certifies pursuant to subsections L and M of this section that the person has been convicted of or is awaiting trial on any of the offenses listed in section 41-1758.03, subsection B is immediately prohibited from employment or service with the licensee or contract provider in any capacity requiring or allowing contact with juveniles.

K. A contract provider may avoid cancellation or termination of the contract or license under subsection I of this section if a person who does not possess or has been denied issuance of a valid fingerprint clearance card or who certifies pursuant to subsections L and M of this section that the person has been convicted of or is awaiting trial on any of the offenses listed in section 41-1758.03, subsection C is immediately prohibited from employment or service with the licensee or contract provider in any capacity requiring or allowing the person to provide direct services to juveniles unless the person is granted a good cause exception pursuant to section 41-619.55.

L. Personnel who are employed by any contract provider, whether paid or not, and who are required or allowed to provide services directly to juveniles shall certify on forms provided by the contracting agency and notarized whether they are awaiting trial on or have ever been convicted of any of the criminal offenses listed in section 41-1758.03, subsections B and C in this state or similar offenses in another state or jurisdiction.

M. Personnel who are employed by any contract provider, whether paid or not, and who are required or allowed to provide services directly to juveniles shall certify on forms provided by the contracting agency and notarized whether they have ever committed any act of sexual abuse of a child, including sexual exploitation and commercial sexual exploitation, or any act of child abuse.

N. Federally recognized Indian tribes or military bases may submit and the supreme court shall accept certifications that state that personnel who are employed or who will be employed during the contract term and who provide services directly to juveniles have not been convicted of, have not admitted committing or are not awaiting trial on any offense under subsection L of this section.

O. Adult clients of a contract provider who are receiving treatment services are exempt from the requirements of this section, unless they provide services directly to juveniles without supervision.

P. Volunteers who provide services to juveniles under the direct visual supervision of the contractor's or licensee's employees are exempt from the fingerprinting requirements of this section.

Q. The contracting agency shall notify the department of public safety if the contracting agency receives credible evidence that a person who possesses a valid fingerprint clearance card either:

1. Is arrested for or charged with an offense listed in section 41-1758.03, subsection B.

2. Falsified information on the form required by subsection L of this section.