Policies, Legislation, and Tools
Find policies, legislation, and tools relevant to the Maryland Department of Juvenile Services programs and operations.
DJS related policies
Find formal DJS policy documents across topics including behavioral health, community services, residential services, education, healthcare, human resources, IT, management, community and residential services. The section also includes recent directives and guidelines for CD and GPS programs. Items are searchable by name, topic area, and year.
Legislation
Find information and resources about laws relevant to DJS, including:
HB814 fact sheets about major changes from the 2024 law related to intake, detention, and probation practices.
Code citations pertaining to DJS from the Annotated Code of Maryland that established the Department of Juvenile Services and governs many of its practices.
Crimes of Violence (CoV) as defined in the Criminal Law Article § 14-101.
DJS assessment tools
DJS case managers and staff uses various tools to make sure that decisions are made equitably and consistently, based on the same information, regardless of county, intake officer, or youth characteristics. Major tools DJS uses include:
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Intake Decision Tool (IDT)The IDT guides the intake decision making process and is intended to ensure fair and equitable decisions.
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Detention Risk Assessment Instrument (DRAI)The DRAI is used to make a detention decision in cases where a youth is brought to intake and police request detention.
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MCASP Risk and Needs AssessmentThe MCASP is used to recommend the level of supervision, placement, services and treatment most appropriate for adjudicated youth.