HB 781 Summary

• Requires children under 18 years of age in police custody to have contact with legal counsel (in person, by phone, or video conference) before waiving any constitutional rights or being interrogated.

• Requires contact with a parent, guardian, or legal custodian (in person, by phone, or video conference) to the extent practicable before the child waives rights or is interrogated.

• Mandates that officers notify a child's parent, guardian, or legal custodian immediately upon arrest and provide the location where the child is being detained.

• Requires courts to consider any officer's failure to comply with these contact requirements when determining whether to admit statements made by the child during or after waiver of rights.

• Becomes effective upon approval.