MISSION, RESULTS STATEMENT, & ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Mission Statement
The Interstate Commission for Juveniles, the governing body of the Interstate Compact for Juveniles, through means of joint and cooperative action among the compacting states, preserves child welfare and promotes public safety interests of citizens, including victims of juvenile offenders. With a focus on racial justice, the Commission provides enhanced accountability, enforcement, visibility, and communication in the return of juveniles who have left their state of residence without permission and in the cooperative supervision of delinquent juveniles who travel or relocate across state lines.
Results Statement
All ICJ youth and families are safe, supported, and treated equitably.
Acknowledgements
Given that cooperative action is at the heart of ICJ’s mission, we deeply appreciate all who collaborated on this and previous version of the ICJ Bench Book for Judge and Court Personnel. We are fortunate that the nation’s leading legal experts on interstate compact law dedicated their considerable knowledge and skills to this work. Many thanks to attorneys Richard L. (Rick) Masters, Michael L. Buenger, Jeffrey Litwak, and Thomas E. Travis. Thanks also to Nathan Hardymon, University of Kentucky, College of Law, Class of 2018, for his assistance.
We would also like to acknowledge the special contributions of ICJ Commissioners and Officers, especially 2023 Chair Nina Belli (OR), 2023 Vice Chair Julie Hawkins (MO), 2018 Chair Anne Connor (ID), and 2018 Vice Chair Natalie Dalton (VA). Finally, we greatly appreciate the efforts of former and current staff members: MaryLee Underwood, Jennifer Adkins, Emma Goode, Ashley Lippert, Morgan Wolford, and Monica Gary.
Search Bench Book Content
Table of Contents
Introduction
Latest Developments in the ICJ
Chapter 1 - General Law of Interstate Compacts: Understanding & Implementing Interstate Compacts
Chapter 2 - Overview of the Interstate Compact for Juveniles
Chapter 3 - Transferring Supervision of Juveniles
Chapter 4 - Returning Juveniles
Chapter 5 - Travel Permits
Chapter 6 - Liability and Immunity Considerations for Judicial Officers and Employees
Appendix I - Compact Statute
Appendix II - ICJ Rules
Appendix III - Bylaws
Appendix IV - White Papers
Appendix V - ICJ Process Charts
Appendix VI - Advisory Opinions
Download a PDF version of the Bench Book.
Version 12.0© 2026 Interstate Commission for Juveniles