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Republican Bryan Cutler, the state House majority leader, says with lawmakers taking up justice reform legislation this week, "common sense tells us that ... we must also look upstream to our juvenile justice system."
Cutler says a reduction in offending at earlier ages can save money and improve lives. Wolf says Pennsylvania has become a leader in criminal justice reform.
"We were the first state to pass clean slate legislation — again, in a bi-partisan way," Wolf said.
Senate Democrat Anthony Williams, who represents part of Philadelphia and Montgomery Counties, stressed the importance of dealing with children.
"So, for a young person caught up in this system, this press conference is for you," Williams said.
The Juvenile Justice Task Force is to deliver its recommendation for changes a little less than a year from now.