FL H0949

Children under 12 years old cannot be adjudicated delinquent, arrested, or charged with crimes, as they are deemed incapable of the mental culpability required to commit crimes

Children ages 12-14 can only be taken into custody for failing to appear at court, absconding from commitment, or when detention is necessary to prevent imminent serious bodily harm to another person

Children 15 and older may be taken into custody pursuant to court orders, for delinquent acts or law violations, for failing to appear at court, or for violating probation/supervised release conditions

Students enrolled in primary or secondary schools can only be arrested at school for failing to appear at court or when necessary to prevent imminent serious bodily harm

Redefines "child" in juvenile justice statutes to mean persons 12 years or older but younger than 18, with effective date of July 1, 2020