The bipartisan movement toward criminal justice reform that seemed to be gaining ground in 2016 is, unfortunately, having a tougher time this congressional session. But there is one ray of hope amid the gridlock. The Senate moved Aug. 1 to pass S. 860, signaling a possible resolution to the 10-year battle to reauthorize the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act.

Last updated in 2002 and allowed to lapse in 2007, the JJDPA, when it initially was passed in 1974, set up basic federal standards for the treatment of juvenile offenders. Efforts to reauthorize the legislation have failed repeatedly this past decade, stripping states of essential federal support that otherwise would go toward improving their respective juvenile justice programs.