FL H0421

Prohibits holding children awaiting trial who are prosecuted as adults in adult jails or detention facilities unless a court finds in writing after a hearing that it is in the interest of justice.

Requires courts to consider seven factors when determining if adult detention is appropriate, including the child's age, maturity, mental state, nature of offense, prior delinquent history, and facility capabilities.

Mandates hearings at least every 30 days (or every 45 days in rural jurisdictions) to review whether continued adult facility detention remains necessary.

Limits detention in adult facilities to 180 days maximum unless the court determines good cause for extension or the child waives this limitation.

Requires children held in adult facilities to be housed separately from adult inmates with no more than accidental contact, supervised by adequate staff with documented checks at intervals not exceeding 10 minutes; children may be cellmates with other children but never with adults.

Effective date: July 1, 2021.