HB 407 Summary

• Eliminates mandatory waiver requirements for state attorneys to prosecute children aged 14+ with prior felony adjudications for violent crimes, making such prosecutions discretionary instead

• Changes age threshold from "any age" to 14 years or older for children charged with capital or life imprisonment offenses to remain under juvenile court jurisdiction until indictment is returned

• Prohibits transfer of children to adult court for indictable offenses until the child's competency is restored if they have pending competency hearings or prior incompetency findings

• Makes sentencing as an adult discretionary rather than mandatory for children found to have committed offenses punishable by death or life imprisonment

• Effective date: July 1, 2022