SB 1856 Summary

• Creates section 985.326 establishing procedures for depositions in juvenile delinquency cases, including time/location requirements, restrictions on deposing certain witness categories, mandatory video recording of depositions for children under 16, and provisions for law enforcement officer depositions and telephone statements.

• Requires the Department of Juvenile Justice to adopt rules governing procedures for restraining children at courthouses, including when mechanical devices may be used and duration of isolation, and mandates compliance with the Protective Action Response policy when mechanical restraints are used.

• Establishes juvenile justice circuit boards in each of the 20 judicial circuits and county councils in each of the 67 counties as mandatory entities to provide advice on program development, with specified membership requirements, reporting obligations, and duties including interagency cooperation agreements.

• Requires the Secretary of Juvenile Justice to hold quarterly meetings with board and council chairs to advise on statewide issues, provide budget feedback, and discuss program development and implementation.

• Amends community juvenile justice partnership grant criteria to consider alignment with goals of local juvenile justice boards, councils, and the Children and Youth Cabinet, and allows the department to indefinitely extend grant funding periods for programs demonstrating unique and extraordinary results.