Under the reforms a legislated scheme for warnings, cautions and early diversion will encourage police to avoid charging children

The government’s Youth Justice Bill passed the lower house on Tuesday and will now be sent to the Governor to receive royal assent.

The age of criminal responsibility will be raised to 12 across Victoria after new laws passed the parliament.

The government’s Youth Justice Bill passed the lower house on Tuesday and will now be sent to the Governor to receive royal assent.

At that time any outstanding criminal cases involving 10 and 11 year olds will be dropped.

Under the reforms a legislated scheme for warnings, cautions and early diversion will encourage police to avoid charging children.

The Youth Justice Bill passed the lower house on Tuesday. Picture: David Geraghty

At the same time, an additional Children’s Court magistrate will be appointed to help deal with a surge in repeat offending by up to 200 children.

Electronic monitoring will also be legislated as an optional bail condition for children.

And the doli incapax principle — that dictates the presumption that a child aged 10 to 14 is incapable of criminal intent — will also be written into legislation.