Human Rights for Kids

05/07/2026

HRFK fought to protect children under 12 from the justice system. When the legislature pushed back, so did we. In Baltimore, that work protected a child.

When a 10 year old boy was taken into custody after crashing a stolen car, there was only one acceptable outcome: he went home. No charges. No court date. No criminal record before he has even finished elementary school.

That did not happen by chance. Advocates including HRFK fought to raise the minimum age for criminal prosecution in Maryland and held the line when lawmakers tried to reverse it. Children this young cannot form criminal intent. They deserve intervention, not incarceration.

This child got that chance. That is exactly what we work for.

04/29/2026

We're excited to announce that Congresswoman Kamlager-Dove has introduced the Directly Impacted Child Rehab and Safety Act! This bill seeks to make the following changes consistent with human rights protections found in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights:

-Establish a minimum age of 12 for prosecution in juvenile court;

-Raise the age to 16 for a child to be prosecuted in adult court;

-Prohibit children from being held in federal adult correctional facilities;

-Eliminate the felony murder rule for children so that a youth who does not kill or intend to kill someone during the commission of a felony does not face a life sentence; and

-Establish a grant block program to provide services and treatment to youth under 12 who engage in conduct that would constitute an offense, victims of commercial sexual exploitation, and youth subject to the jurisdiction of both the child welfare and juvenile court system.

We were proud to first work on this legislation with former Mayor Karen Bass when she was in Congress and are excited to continue this work alongside the leadership of Congresswoman Sydney Kamlager-Dove!

04/29/2026

Two headlines. Two states. One through line.

In Kansas, a court just ruled that prosecutors cannot wait until a child turns 14 to file charges for a crime they committed at 13, closing a loophole that could have sent two 13-year-olds into the adult system.

In California, a state appellate court reversed the murder conviction of Rafael Meraz, who was 15 at the time of a 2007 killing, ruling that he was entitled to a juvenile transfer hearing that never properly took place.

The law is finally catching up with what the science has always shown: children are not the same as adults.

Visit the link in our bio to learn more about our advocacy.

04/28/2026

A second chance isn’t a privilege. It’s a right.

It means being considered for a job based on your potential, not your record. It means stable housing to build from. It means finishing an education, because learning doesn’t have an expiration date. It means mental health support that actually meets people where they are.

People returning from incarceration are ready to rebuild, they just need the tools.

When we invest in real second chances, we get stronger communities, stronger families, and a better future for all of us.

04/21/2026

A second chance isn't a privilege. It's a right.

It means being considered for a job based on your potential, not your record. It means stable housing to build from. It means finishing an education, because learning doesn't have an expiration date. It means mental health support that actually meets people where they are.

People returning from incarceration are ready to rebuild, they just need the tools.

When we invest in real second chances, we get stronger communities, stronger families, and a better future for all of us.

04/14/2026

Three years of advocacy just became Virginia law.

Yesterday, Virginia Governor Abigail D. Spanberger signed SB 18 into law, establishing a minimum age of 11 before a child can be arrested and prosecuted in Virginia. This is a landmark victory for children's rights and a direct result of years of tireless work.

Thank you to Senator Locke for introducing this legislation and to Delegate Vivian Watts for fighting for it every step of the way. And to our sister organization , we did this together.

Virginia is leading the way. This is what change looks like.

04/09/2026

DJS NEWS 📰 Maryland has reached a significant milestone with the passage of SB 323, the Youth Charging Reform Act. This development reflects decades of work by policymakers, community members, advocates, and organizations focused on improving youth justice.

Over the past 14 years, multiple commissions and studies have highlighted the need for reform. SB 323 represents Maryland’s effort to align with national research and best practices while ensuring young people have access to the services and support that help them succeed.

“On this historic day, I pause to reflect on the people who worked to make this happen. Now is my favorite part, rolling up our sleeves and implementing the law. And I am committed to working with our partners and fellow stakeholders to ensure the children in our state are treated equally, fairly, and receive the services they need.” — Secretary Betsy Fox Tolentino

04/07/2026

The evidence is in. It has been for a long time.

When young people are given access to diversion and rehabilitation programs instead of being funneled into the criminal legal system, they are less likely to reoffend. The data is not ambiguous.

At Human Rights for Kids, we fight for a justice system that reflects what the research already proves. Children deserve better than a system that defaults to punishment.

04/06/2026

We did it!!! Earlier today the House of Delegates passed the historic, Youth Charging Reform Act (SB 323), which was championed by Delegate J. Sandy Bartlett, Senator William C. Smith, Jr., and Senator Sara Love.

The legislation will end the practice of automatically charging children as adults in nearly 60% of cases, impacting more than 500 youth annually in Maryland. What's more, the bill will prohibit youth from being placed in adult jails and prisons, ensuring that youth who do end up in the adult system will not be subject to the horrific choice of solitary confinement or abuse at the hands of older adult prisoners.

This is, without question, the most significant child rights legislation passed in a generation in Maryland. Congratulations to Delegate J. Sandy Bartlett and Senator William C. Smith, Jr. and to all of our partners who have worked so tirelessly to make this day a reality.

We are also grateful to Senator Bill Ferguson and Speaker Pena-Melnyk who supported and prioritized the passage of this historic bill!

04/03/2026

A record shouldn't be a life sentence. But for too many people walking out of prison, that's exactly what it becomes.

This Second Chance Month, Human Rights for Kids CEO and Founder James Dold is speaking out about what reintegration actually looks like and why the system continues to fail the people it was supposed to serve.

Closed doors to employment. Denied housing applications.
Opportunities that never come. For those who were incarcerated as children, these aren't just obstacles. They are a second punishment.

Watch. Share. Demand better.

04/03/2026

We are incredibly grateful for the leadership of Delegate Moreno in working to end the use of solitary confinement on children in the justice system!

Yesterday, I had the pleasure of presenting my first bill before the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee, HB921: Juvenile Restrictive Housing Limitations.

HB921 would require the Department of Juvenile Services to adopt regulations that prohibits locked door seclusion and restraints as a form of punishment, for convenience, as a staffing substitute, or in retaliation to a youth misbehaving. It also limits the use of locked door seclusion only when there is an immediate or substantial risk of harm to the child, other youth, or staff.

I am so thankful for our advocacy coalition, including Human Rights for Kids and DJS, who has worked so hard behind the scenes to find compromise and get this bill in the best position possible.