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RALEIGH – North Carolina is one of just two states where 16- and 17-year-olds who are charged with a crime are prosecuted as adults – but new legislation may change that.

The Youth Accountability Act would end the prosecutions of 16- and 17-year-olds as adults in all but serious cases. Crimes like murder could still be transferred to adult court. Lawmakers also want a task force to help with the transition and to figure out how much money it would take.

Some child advocacy groups, law enforcement officers and lawmakers are on board with the idea.

"It is long, long overdue," Rep. Rick Glazier, D-Cumberland County, said. "That is clear from the fact that 48 other states are doing what we are now proposing to do."

Opponents, which include several law enforcement groups, say the state's juvenile justice system can't handle thousands more cases.

"It doesn't make sense to add two more age groups to a system that's already not adequately provided for," says Eddie Caldwell, of the N.C. Sheriffs' Association. "So it would seem to be more prudent to fix the system we have now, and then to talk about adding other groups."

About 20,000 16- and 17-year-olds commit crimes in North Carolina each year. Supporters of the bill say since the state treats them like adults, they have less of a chance to go to college or get a job, in some cases, just because they made one mistake as a kid.

"The one thing we do not want to do is to say if you make a mistake at 16, your life is unredeemable," says the Rev. Dr. William Barber, president of the North Carolina NAACP.

New Bern Police Department Chief Frank Palombo said it's time to stop the practice, which has taken place since 1918.

"It's the right thing to do," Palombo said. "It's not the easy thing to do. It's easier to keep doing what we've been doing."

A legislative committee heard the bill for the first time Tuesday afternoon. It now goes on to a judiciary committee.