The Department of Public Safety shall conduct an annual evaluation of intensive intervention services. Intensive intervention services are evidence-based or research-supported community-based or residential services that are necessary for a juvenile in order to (i) prevent the juvenile’s commitment to a youth development center or detention facility, (ii) facilitate the juvenile’s successful return to the community following commitment, or (iii) prevent further involvement in the juvenile justice system. In conducting the evaluation, the Department shall consider whether participation in intensive intervention services results in a diversion from or reduction of court involvement among juveniles. The Department shall also determine whether the programs are achieving the goals and objectives of the Juvenile Justice Reform Act, S.L. 1998-202.

The Department shall report the results of the evaluation to the Chairs of the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Justice and Public Safety and the Chairs of the Senate and House of Representatives Appropriations Subcommittees on Justice and Public Safety by March 1 of each year. ?(2013-360, s. 16D.1; 2020-83, s. 1; 2021-123, s. 6(c).)