HB 188 Summary

• Establishes conditions for room confinement of children in detention and shelter facilities, limiting use to temporary behavioral responses when a child poses immediate danger to self or others, or is an imminent escape risk.

• Requires room confinement only after less restrictive options including de-escalation and behavioral management techniques have been attempted and failed, and permits confinement for no more than three hours unless a judge grants an extension of up to three additional hours.

• Mandates notification to the senior judge of family court, presiding judge, deputy chief court administrator, and social services manager on the next business day when a child is placed in room confinement, including reasons and duration.

• Prohibits use of room confinement for punishment, discipline, coercion, convenience, retaliation, or staffing shortages; requires children in confinement to have access to water, toilets, hygiene supplies, meals, legal assistance, education, and medical/mental health services.

• Requires continuous staff monitoring, adequate lighting, ventilation, and suicide-resistant rooms; mandates a family court hearing on the next business day if confinement exceeds three hours, with legal representation provided to the child.

• Effective date: July 1, 2060.