Senator Robey and Delegate Bobo, members of the Howard County Delegation:

I wish to testify this evening on behalf of the Howard County League of Women Voters in favor of HB511/ SB787- Juvenile Services-Services and Programs for Females based on the National League's position of support for equal rights for both males and females.

The State of Maryland Department of Juvenile Services handled 11,056 intake cases involving women in FY2010 compared to 29,722 for males. According to DJS statistics, the placement of females v. males in residential facilities is 1 to 6 yet there is only one facility for females, the Thomas J. Waxter Center, which according to a Task Force established by the Women Legislators of the State of Maryland, provides little or no programs for treatment and rehabilitation of the young women. The Waxter Center is the only facility designated specifically for females out of a total of 14 in the State of Maryland.

Alison Carney
Director, Women's' Issues