The bill amends the Children's Code to enhance the procedures surrounding review hearings for children committed to the custody of the office of juvenile justice. It mandates that these children shall be physically transported for in-person review hearings every six months, unless waived by their counsel and the committing court. Additionally, the court may order more frequent review hearings, which would be conducted via secure video conferencing. The bill also clarifies that children committed to the office of juvenile justice are considered committed regardless of their physical location, including various types of facilities and 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 be conducted through a secure video conferencing platform that ensures confidentiality, thereby enhancing the legal representation and rights of the children involved in the juvenile justice system.