This bill amends Title 42 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, focusing on juvenile matters, specifically regarding definitions, the release or delivery of children to court, mandatory counsel, and child interrogation procedures. A new definition for "custodial interrogation" is introduced, which outlines the conditions under which questioning by law enforcement is considered custodial. Additionally, the bill mandates that a child cannot be subjected to custodial interrogation without first consulting with an attorney, either retained by their guardian or provided by the public defender's office. It also requires law enforcement to notify the child's guardian about the interrogation and maintain records of these notifications.

Further amendments include the requirement for interrogations of children to be recorded unless impossible or unsafe, and establishes a rebuttable presumption that statements made during non-compliant interrogations are inadmissible in court. The bill also empowers the Juvenile Court Judges' Commission to adopt rules for using age-appropriate language to inform children of their rights when taken into custody. Overall, the bill aims to enhance the legal protections for children in custody and ensure that their rights are upheld during interrogations.

Statutes/Laws affected:
Printer's No. 1930 (Jun 16, 2025): 42-6302
Printer's No. 2440 (Oct 08, 2025): 42-6302