MD SB827

Prohibits placing minors in restrictive housing for discipline, punishment, administrative convenience, retaliation, or staffing shortages; allows restrictive housing only as a temporary measure when there is clear and convincing evidence of immediate risk of physical harm or facility security threat

Limits restrictive housing for minors to a maximum of 6 hours, requires mental health screening within 1 hour of placement, and mandates development of a plan to return the minor to general population as soon as possible

Allows minors to voluntarily request restrictive housing and revoke that request at any time for immediate return to general population

Prohibits children convicted of crimes or awaiting trial from being detained in any institution where they have contact with or come within sight or sound of incarcerated adults, and bars holding children in adult correctional facilities

Requires the Department of Juvenile Services to notify sentencing courts within 180 days before a child in custody turns 18, triggering a mandatory hearing to transfer the individual to an adult facility or other appropriate disposition