Senate Bill No. 1542 aims to regulate the use of handcuffs on children under the age of 14 who have not been adjudicated, starting from their initial contact with law enforcement. The bill establishes a presumption that mechanical restraints, such as handcuffs, should be removed from preadjudicated children during court appearances, unless ordered by the court or if the child poses a threat to public safety or is using or threatening physical force against a police officer. The bill also mandates that the Judicial Branch maintain and provide statistics on the use of mechanical restraints on children during proceedings, ensuring that any identifying information is redacted.

Additionally, the bill replaces the term "juvenile" with "child" in the existing law regarding the use of mechanical restraints in court, thereby broadening the scope of the legislation. This change reflects a shift in focus towards protecting younger individuals in the legal system. The bill is set to take effect on October 1, 2025, and is not expected to have any fiscal impact on the state or municipalities.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill:
JUD Joint Favorable Substitute:
File No. 778: