CT SB01542

Prohibits police officers from handcuffing children known to be under 14 years of age, starting from initial contact, effective October 1, 2025

Exceptions allow handcuffing children under 14 when necessary for public safety or when the child is using or threatening physical force against an officer

Maintains existing presumption that mechanical restraints must be removed from preadjudicated detained children before and during court appearances

Requires court order and written Judicial Branch policy for any in-court use of mechanical restraints on preadjudicated detainees

Mandates the Judicial Branch to track and publicly release statistics on mechanical restraint use on children during proceedings, with identifying information redacted