IN SUMMARY, THE MAIN THRUSTS OF THE PROPOSALS ARE TO RESTRICT THE SCOPE OF THE LEGISLATION, PROVIDE FOR A FORMAL PROCESS TO DIVERT YOUNG PERSONS FROM THE JUVENILE JUSTICE PROCESS THROUGH THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A SCREENING AGENCY, PLACE EMPHASIS ON RESPONDING AS PRECISELY AS POSSIBLE TO THE INDIVIDUAL NEEDS OF YOUNG PERSONS BY PROVIDING FOR MANDATORY ASSESSMENTS IN THOSE CASES WHERE PROBATION, OPEN OR SECURE CUSTODY IS BEING CONTEMPLATED, PROMOTE MORE ACTIVE PARTICIPATION OF THE YOUNG PERSONS AND THEIR PARENTS IN THE PROCESS, STIPULATE SPECIFIC SUBSTANTIVE AND PROCEDURAL SAFEGUARDS AND OUTLINE THE ACCOUNTABILITY OF THOSE PERSONS INVOLVED IN THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE PROCESS THROUGH JUDICIAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE REVIEWS. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT)