SPONSOR: Keathley
This bill prohibits the use of instruments of restraint on a child during a juvenile court proceeding and it requires the instruments to be removed prior to the child's appearance before the court unless the court finds that certain exceptions, specified in the bill, apply. If the juvenile officer believes there is an immediate safety or flight risk, the juvenile officer must advise the child's attorney and make prior to the commencement of the proceeding a written request for the child to remain restrained during the proceeding. The child's attorney will have an opportunity to be heard and, if restraints are ordered, the court will make findings of fact in support of the order.
This bill is similar to HB 2059 (2024) and HB 182 (2023).
Statutes affected: