Expands eligibility for sentencing to the youthful offender system (system) to allow certain young adult offenders who commit certain crimes when they are 18 or 19 years old, and who are sentenced prior to their twenty-first birthday, to be sentenced to the system. Repeals the expanded eligibility on October 1, 2012.

Requires the warden of the system, upon the request of a prosecuting attorney or a youthful offender, to determine whether a youthful offender is acceptable for a sentence to the system given the nature and circumstances of the crime; the age, circumstances, and criminal history of the youthful offender; the available bed space in the system; and any other appropriate considerations.

Allows a court to sentence a juvenile to the system even though sentencing occurs after the juvenile's nineteenth birthday, so long as sentencing occurs prior to the juvenile's twenty-first birthday.

APPROVED by Governor April 2, 2009           EFFECTIVE October 1, 2009

View Bill: H.B. 09-1122 PDF