The Senate Judiciary Committee yesterday voted to reauthorize the 1974 Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act until fiscal year 2014, reports MainJustice.com. The bill authorizes funding to aid state juvenile justice systems. Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) was the only Democrat to vote no, agreeing with Republican concerns over the projected $4 billion price tag.

The committee, voting 10-9, approved an amendment by Sen. Charles Grassley (R-IA) requiring the Comptroller General to audit the Justice Department Office of Juvenile Justice Delinquency and Prevention, which handles the juvenile justice grants. The panel rejected an amendment by ranking member Jeff Sessions (R-AL) that would have allowed 16- and 17-year-olds to be prosecuted as adults if accused of murder, rape, or other serious offenses. The House has not taken significant action on the measure.

Link: http://www.mainjustice.com/2009/12/17/senate-panel-approves-juvenile-justice-bill-renewal/