The proposed legislation, General Assembly Raised Bill No. 1215, aims to amend the definition of "child" in section 46b-120 of the general statutes, specifically in the context of delinquency matters and proceedings. The bill repeals the existing definition and replaces it with a new one that clarifies that a "child" is any person under eighteen years of age who has not been legally emancipated. Notably, it introduces provisions that include individuals who turn eighteen before the adjudication of a verified petition alleging neglect, uncared for status, or abuse, thereby ensuring that they are still considered a child for the purposes of such legal proceedings.

The bill also modifies the criteria for delinquency matters by specifying that a child is defined as someone who is at least ten years old at the time of the alleged delinquent act and under eighteen, or someone who committed a delinquent act before turning eighteen but is now over that age. The changes aim to provide clarity and ensure that the legal system can adequately address cases involving neglected, uncared for, or abused children and youths, even if they reach adulthood before their cases are adjudicated. The effective date for these changes is set for July 1, 2025.