SB1799 Summary

• Increases detention period for minors from 40 to 48 hours before requiring appearance before a judicial officer, and removes exclusion of weekends and holidays from this time calculation.

• Requires statewide juvenile detention screening instrument to be used by all authorized juvenile detention facilities starting January 1, 2019, developed and validated by the Probation Division of the Administrative Office of Illinois Courts.

• Establishes detention screening criteria including likelihood of court appearance, severity of charge, involvement of violence or weapons, prior justice system interactions, safe home environment, and family safety concerns; instrument must be race and gender neutral with bias protections.

• Creates new Section 5-420 allowing minors in state or local custody to appear via two-way audio-visual communication (closed circuit television or video conference) for initial appearances, detention hearings, and status hearings.

• Authorizes chief judges of circuits to permit video appearance through two-way audio-visual communication with secure line for communication between minor in custody and counsel.