FL H0499

Prohibits solitary confinement (isolation in a cell for more than 20 hours per day) for youth prisoners under 18 or those classified as "youthful offenders" in state and local facilities, with limited exceptions for emergency and disciplinary situations

Limits emergency cell confinement to 24 hours maximum, requiring mental health clinician evaluation within 1 hour of placement and every 4 hours thereafter, with visual checks at least every 15 minutes

Caps disciplinary cell confinement at 72 hours maximum for major rule violations such as acts of violence, nonconsensual sex, serious security disruptions, or escape attempts

Requires youth in protective custody receive at least 5 hours daily out-of-cell time, including 2 hours of large-muscle exercise, plus access to education, meals, medical treatment, and communication privileges equal to general population

Mandates the Department of Corrections and county detention facilities certify compliance to the Governor and Legislature by January 1, 2020, with an effective date of July 1, 2019