FL S1550

Department of Juvenile Justice must adopt rules governing procedures for restraining children at courthouses and limiting isolation time, and must comply with Protective Action Response policy when using mechanical restraints.

Establishes mandatory juvenile justice circuit boards in all 20 judicial circuits and county councils in all 67 counties, requiring written interagency agreements among schools, law enforcement, state attorneys, public defenders, and other agencies to coordinate juvenile justice services.

Circuit boards and county councils must monitor comprehensive plans to address disproportionate minority contact with juvenile justice system, with the Children and Youth Cabinet overseeing statewide coordination.

Provides for board and council membership requirements including state attorney, public defender, and chief judge; requires Secretary of Juvenile Justice to hold quarterly meetings with board chairs; authorizes reimbursement for nongovernmental members and legal counsel support.

Adds criterion to Community Juvenile Justice Partnership Grant awards prioritizing programs that develop and implement local juvenile justice council and circuit board goals, and allows indefinite grant extensions for programs showing extraordinary results over 3 years.