Senate Bill No. 502 amends the process for transferring juvenile cases to adult court, particularly for children aged fifteen and older charged with serious felonies, including capital felonies and class A and B felonies. The bill repeals Section 46b-127 of the general statutes and introduces provisions for automatic transfers under specific conditions, ensuring that any pre-transfer proceedings remain private and separate from adult court. Additionally, it allows a state's attorney to motion for the transfer of class B felony cases back to juvenile court under certain circumstances. The bill also establishes criteria for transferring cases involving class C, D, or E felonies and serious firearm offenses, requiring a hearing to assess the appropriateness of the transfer while considering the child's prior offenses and the availability of juvenile services.

Moreover, SB 502 shortens the timeline for prosecutors to file transfer motions and conduct hearings for serious firearm offenses from 30 days to 15 days post-arraignment. It introduces new reporting requirements for the chief administrative judge of the juvenile court, mandating annual reports to the Judiciary Committee on transfer motions and their outcomes, with the first report due by January 15, 2027. The bill clarifies that a court's decision on a transfer is not a final judgment for appeal purposes, aiming to ensure that serious offenses are managed effectively while balancing the rehabilitation needs of juvenile offenders and community safety.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill:
JUD Joint Favorable:
File No. 592: