CT HB06638

Raises the age threshold for juvenile jurisdiction from under 16 to under 18 years old, with 16 and 17-year-olds now handled in the juvenile justice system rather than adult criminal court.

Establishes an automatic age cap of 20 years old for all commitments to the Department of Children and Families in delinquency cases, terminating any ongoing commitment when a youth reaches that age.

Requires police departments to immediately accept missing person reports for youth under 18 (previously under 15) and mandates notification to school superintendents when students aged 7-20 are arrested for felonies or class A misdemeanors.

Implements permanency hearing requirements for delinquent children committed to the Department of Children and Families, with hearings every 12 months to review and approve plans for revocation of commitment, guardianship transfer, adoption, or other permanent placements.

Modifies confidentiality and disclosure rules for juvenile delinquency records, allowing victims access to records similar to criminal proceedings and permitting educational record sharing with detention facilities without parental consent.