Children, Youth and Families Amendment (Raise the Age) Bill 2022

What the bill says it does

The purposes of this Act are— (a) to amend the Children, Youth and Families Act 2005— (i) to increase the minimum age of criminal responsibility from 10 years of age to 14 years of age; and (ii) to prohibit the use of solitary confinement in relation to a person detained in a remand centre, youth residential centre or youth justice centre; and (iii) to require the Secretary to prepare and publish minimum requirements for meaningful human contact during isolation; and (b) to make consequential amendments to the Crimes Act 1958, Fines Reform Act 2014 and Infringements Act 2006.

Quoted from: Purpose clause of the bill as introduced. Not written or edited by FOCUp.

Official sources

• Parliament of Victoria: this bill
• Introduction print – Bill (DOCX)
• Introduction print – Bill (PDF)
• Introduction print – Explanatory Memorandum (DOCX)
• Introduction print – Explanatory Memorandum (PDF)

Timeline

1. First reading passed — Legislative Council

   20 Dec 2022

2. First reading: Statement of compatibility tabled — Legislative Council

   8 Feb 2023 · Source

3. Second reading moved — Legislative Council

   8 Feb 2023 · Source

4. Second reading: Debate resumed — Legislative Council

   Date not published

Election commitments on the same subject

Matched by shared budget line and wording. A match does not mean this bill delivers the commitment.

• Invest $100 million into youth crime prevention initiatives · Victorian Liberals and Nationals · 19 July 2026
• No change to age of criminal responsibility · Victorian Liberals and Nationals · 4 Sept 2026
• More support for foster, kinship and permanent carers of children · Victorian Greens · 12 Aug 2026