A bill to expand a program allowing teens to handle some Youth Court duties has passed the House.

The law that established the program limits it to Harrison, Hinds, Rankin and Bolivar counties.

The bill to allow teen courts to be established in any county was introduced by Rep. George Flaggs, D-Vicksburg. It moves to the Senate after clearing the House Thursday.

The proposal originated with a conference held Jan. 10 in Raymond, Flaggs said. The conference was sponsored by the Mississippi Bar Young Lawyers Division Child Advocacy Committee and the state attorney general’s office.

Warren County has one of the state’s 19 youth courts. The judge for county court, Johnny Price, is also the judge for youth court.

Flaggs said he did not introduce the bill with any particular county in mind.

“This is for any county that wants to do it,” he said. “It applies to all 82 counties.” The bill does not mandate that state funds be spent on the program, but allows money to be appropriated for it if available, Flaggs said.

The program is for certain teenagers under 18 who waive their rights to the court’s confidentiality and privilege against self-incrimination. It allows students to serve as prosecutor, defense counsel, bailiff, court clerk and jurors. The local youth court judge or a licensed attorney designated by him is its judge.

Sentences meted out by teen courts can amount to up to 112 hours of community service or requirements for personal apologies to victims, the writing of research papers on relevant subjects, receipt of counseling or other kinds of restitution.

In the 63 counties that do not have separate judgeships for county and youth courts, youth court is a division of chancery court, state Administrative Office of Courts public information officer Beverly Pettigrew Kraft said.

Price has not ruled considering a teen court, but said he would not make it a priority for Warren County.