HB 188 Summary

• Establishes conditions under which children may be placed in room confinement at detention or shelter facilities, limiting use to temporary responses when behavior poses immediate danger to self/others or child is an imminent escape risk.

• Requires room confinement be used only for minimum time necessary after less restrictive options have been attempted and exhausted, with involvement of qualified mental health professionals.

• Caps initial room confinement at 3 hours, with on-call judge able to extend up to 3 additional hours; confinement beyond 3 hours requires family court hearing on next business day with legal representation for child.

• Mandates notification to senior judge, presiding judge, deputy chief court administrator, and social services manager on next business day when room confinement is used; prohibits use for punishment, discipline, coercion, or convenience.

• Requires adequate lighting, ventilation, and suicide-resistant rooms; ensures children in confinement retain access to water, hygiene supplies, meals, parent contact, legal assistance, education, and medical/mental health services.