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 a parent or provided by the public defender's office. It also requires law enforcement to make reasonable efforts to notify the child's parent or guardian prior to the interrogation.

Further amendments include changes to the procedures for taking a child into custody, such as immediate notification of the child's location and the reason for custody. The bill also establishes requirements for recording interrogations of children and creates a rebuttable presumption against the admissibility of statements made during interrogations if law enforcement fails to comply with the outlined procedures. Lastly, the Juvenile Court Judges' Commission is tasked with adopting rules for age-appropriate language to inform children of their rights when taken into custody. The act is set to take effect in 60 days.

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