General Assembly Raised Bill No. 502 proposes significant changes to the process of transferring cases from juvenile court to adult court. It repeals Section 46b-127 and introduces new provisions that mandate automatic transfers for children over the age of fifteen charged with serious offenses, including capital felonies, class A and B felonies, and certain firearm offenses, provided they have been appointed counsel if indigent. The bill emphasizes the need for privacy in proceedings and allows a state's attorney to file motions to transfer class B felony cases back to juvenile court under specific conditions. It also establishes a timeline for hearings, requiring that motions for serious firearm offenses be heard within fifteen days of arraignment, while other cases must be addressed within thirty days.

Additionally, the bill allows for the transfer of cases involving youths aged sixteen or seventeen back to the juvenile docket if the court finds that juvenile programs would better serve their needs, contingent upon a hearing and specific circumstances. It clarifies that if a case is transferred to adult court, the child will be treated as an adult for trial and sentencing, but can still plead guilty to lesser offenses. The bill also restores juvenile status if a case is dismissed or the child is found not guilty. To enhance transparency, it mandates annual reporting by the chief administrative judge for the Juvenile Division on transfer motions and outcomes, with the bill set to take effect on October 1, 2026.

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