Senate Bill No. 396, introduced by Senator Cloud, amends the Children's Code to allow children in the custody of the office of juvenile justice to attend review hearings via secure video conference. The bill modifies existing requirements for in-person hearings, stating that children must participate in an in-person review hearing within six months of their commitment and every six months thereafter, unless waived by counsel and the committing court. Additionally, the court may schedule more frequent hearings, which can be conducted via video conferencing. The bill also clarifies that "detention centers" refer specifically to juvenile detention centers.

Furthermore, the bill establishes the right for children committed to the office of juvenile justice to have private and confidential virtual consultations with their counsel before any review hearing or proceeding. These consultations must occur through a secure video conferencing platform that ensures confidentiality. The amendments aim to enhance the accessibility and confidentiality of legal proceedings for juveniles while maintaining necessary in-person interactions.