HB 959: Youth In Solitary Confinement Reduction Act

• Prohibits youth prisoners (under age 18 or sentenced as youthful offenders) in Department of Corrections or local government facilities from being subjected to solitary confinement except under specific circumstances defined in the law.

• Limits emergency cell confinement to a maximum of 24 hours, requiring mental health clinician evaluation within 1 hour of placement and every 4 hours thereafter, with visual checks at least 4 times per hour.

• Caps disciplinary cell confinement at 72 hours maximum with required visual checks every 15 minutes and mandatory access to 2 hours daily outdoor exercise, daily showers, and same meals and services as general population prisoners.

• Requires youth in protective custody to receive at least 5 hours of daily out-of-cell time including 2 hours of exercise, access to educational programs, personal property, and same visitation and legal assistance as general population prisoners.

• Directs the Department of Corrections and county detention authorities to review and revise policies regarding youth prisoner confinement, with a compliance report due to the Governor and Legislature by January 1, 2014; effective July 1, 2013.