Kids under 12 can be charged with certain crimes in Maryland, under newly passed juvenile justice system reform bill

BALTIMORE - A bill to reform Maryland's Juvenile Justice system was passed in Maryland's General Assembly on Monday.

The Juvenile Reform Act gives the Department of Juvenile Services the ability to charge children between the ages of 10 and 12 for certain offenses, including gun possession and auto theft. The bill focuses on rehabilitation and accountability.  

The goal of the legislation is to hold juveniles and the system accountable by expanding probation for young people and oversight and data collection in the justice system.

It also requires law enforcement to maintain records for every juvenile they arrest.