California Declares War on Youth

California's Proposition 21 was passed on March 7, 2000 by 62% of voters.
The measure increases penalties for kids 14 or older for a wide range of offenses.  Trial as an adult for 14-year-olds is now automatic for many crimes.  For more information, see
http://vote2000.ss.ca.gov/VoteGuide/Propositions/21analysis.htm and
http://www.drcnet.org/wol/128.htm#editorial

(For the full cartoon
and more on Proposition 21, see
http://www.colorlines.com/waronyouth/.)

Israel Court Says No to Spanking

The Israeli Supreme Court has ruled that corporal punishment by parents is "not effective from an educational point of view and causes serious harm to the child".  The ruling effectively bans the practice of spanking.  Israel joins nine other countries (Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Norway, Austria, Cyprus, Croatia, Latvia, and Italy) which have banned corporal punishment.
For an article on the Israeli court's ruling see
http://www.jpost.com/2000/01/26/News/News.1724.html
 

Utah Driving Restrictions Defeated

SB 93, a bill to prevent teens from driving unchaperoned with friends or dates, was defeated by the Utah House of
Representatives on February 9, 2000.  A report on this vote can be seen at
http://www.sltrib.com/2000/feb/02102000/legislat/24678.htm

Washington State Senate Bill Attacks Teenage Drivers

A bill currently under consideration in the Washington State Senate, SB 5449,  would raise the age for obtaining a driver's license to 18 and revoke any license currently held by people under the age of 18.  The text of the bill can be viewed at
http://www.leg.wa.gov/pub/billinfo/1999-00/senate/5425-5449/5449_sbr_03301999
.txt; for an editorial comment, see http://www.americanpartisan.com/cols/malmsten/021100.htm

Chicago Cannot Get Rid of Loitering Law

After Chicago's 1992 loitering ordinance, responsible for more than 42,000
arrests between 1992 and 1995, was found unconstitutional by the U.S.
Supreme Court on June 10, 1999, the City Council began crafting a new one to
get around the Court's objections.  The new bill, intended to target "narcotics-related" and "gang" loitering while leaving innocent young people alone, was approved on February 16, 2000; new legal challenges are anticipated.  Mayor Daley's press release can be seen at
http://www.cityofchicago.org/Mayor/SpecialNotices/GangLoiteringOrdinance.2000
.2.16.html, a counterpoint is found at
http://www.bobbyrush.com/loiter.htm