The General Assembly Raised Bill No. 1215 aims to amend the definition of "child" in the context of delinquency matters and proceedings, specifically regarding neglected, uncared for, and abused children and youths. The bill proposes to repeal the existing definition in section 46b-120 and replace it with a new definition that clarifies that a "child" is any person under eighteen years of age who has not been legally emancipated. Notably, for delinquency matters, the bill specifies that a child is someone who is at least ten years old at the time of the alleged delinquent act and under eighteen, or someone who is eighteen or older but committed a delinquent act before turning eighteen.

Additionally, the bill introduces a significant insertion that includes children or youths who turn eighteen before the adjudication of a verified petition alleging neglect, uncared for status, or abuse. This means that such individuals will still be considered children for the purposes of the adjudication process, ensuring that their cases are handled appropriately even if they reach adulthood before the legal proceedings conclude. The effective date for these changes is set for July 1, 2025.