Topeka, KS – A bill heard in the Senate Judiciary committee today would eliminate fines and fees imposed on young people in the youth justice system. If passed, the bill could have significant impact for many of the youth who are subject to the over 4,800 juvenile cases filed in Kansas each year. Because youth rarely have a significant amount of money themselves, experts warn that the burden of any financial obligations often fall on families who may already be struggling with low incomes. Being locked into a cycle of financial insecurity – whether for the family or for the juvenile themselves – increases the likelihood of recidivism, limits opportunities for education and upward mobility, and can lead to life-long consequences both for the individual and the community. State legislatures in Texas, Arizona, Louisiana, and Montana have already taken steps to end the practice of funding the youth justice system through fees.