ALBANY - A long-awaited reform in court oversight of troubled teenagers was passed by the state Assembly early Friday morning.

Final approval of a measure that would extend the applicable age levels for youths determined by a court to be so-called "persons in need of supervision" (PINS), from 16 to 18, now rests with Governor George Pataki.

The measure was approved shortly after midnight on Friday morning by a 142-1 vote.

Pataki's approval is less certain. The Governor was recently characterized as being skeptical of the measure.

Parent groups and other supporters say the law would finally regain some measure of parental control of troubled 16-to-18-year-old youths, who may quit school and live out of the home at 16 but remain the legal responsibility of parents until they reach 18.

Opponents say the measure would be very costly to implement, as existing counseling programs and other measures would all have to be reworked to include older, usually more difficult children.

County legislatures in both Sullivan and Orange counties endorsed the measure, which has seen a strong local lobbying effort.