(1) The division shall maintain and operate secure care facilities for the custody and rehabilitation of juvenile offenders:
- (a) who pose a danger of serious bodily harm to others;
- (b) who cannot be controlled in a less secure setting; or
- (c) who have engaged in a pattern of conduct characterized by persistent and serious criminal offenses that, as demonstrated through the use of other alternatives, cannot be controlled in a less secure setting.
(2)
- (a) The director shall appoint an administrator for each secure care facility.
- (b) An administrator of a secure care facility shall have experience in social work, law, criminology, corrections, or a related field, and in administration.
(3)
(a)
- (i) The division, in cooperation with the State Board of Education, shall provide instruction, or make instruction available, to juvenile offenders in secure care facilities.
- (ii) The instruction shall be appropriate to the age, needs, and range of abilities of the juvenile offender.
(b) A secure care facility shall:
- (i) assess each juvenile offender to determine the juvenile offender's abilities, possible learning disabilities, interests, attitudes, and other attributes related to appropriate educational programs; and
- (ii) provide prevocational education to juvenile offenders to acquaint juvenile offenders with vocations, and vocational requirements and opportunities.
(4)
- (a) The division shall place juvenile offenders who have been committed to the division for secure care in a secure care facility, operated by the division or by a private entity, that is appropriate to ensure that humane care and rehabilitation opportunities are afforded to the juvenile offender.
- (b) The division shall have separate housing units for male individuals and female individuals in secure care facilities.
- (5) The division shall adopt standards, policies, and procedures for the regulation and operation of secure care facilities, consistent with state and federal law.
Amended by Chapter 88, 2025 General Session