Legislation that sought to overhaul strip-search and shackling policies and to improve education in the Maryland's juvenile justice system stalled in the General Assembly this year. But officials will spend the rest of the year studying the matters.

A bill that sought to limit shackling and strip-searching youths was amended to create a task force to study the issue and make recommendations on any steps needed to prevent misuse of the practices. It passed with broad support.

As part of the state budget approved during the recent legislative session, the Department of Juvenile Services must also produce a report by July that details the agency's policies for strip searches and shackling and provides statistics. Lawmakers withheld $1 million from the department's budget as incentive to complete the report.

In addition, the juvenile services department and the Maryland State Department of Education must report on the progress they've made to hire more staff and improve special education. Lawmakers withheld $100,000 from both agencies and set a deadline of November for the first report.

Gov. Larry Hogan said his administration is willing to review its policies.

A Baltimore Sun investigation last month detailed how strip searches and shackling are used on juveniles, who are often detained briefly and for low-level offenses. Public defenders, child advocates and an independent monitoring unit in the attorney general's office had urged the state to stop the widespread use of the tactics on youth who posed no risk.

State officials defended the practices, saying they were needed to ensure safety and security in juvenile facilities. A Sun investigation in December detailed shortcomings in schools for juvenile offenders that are run by the education department. The state has launched a strategic plan to ensure the youths get the same level of education that they would in public schools. Gov. Larry Hogan also set aside $3 million to hire more staff for the schools.

— Erica L. Green and Erin Cox