MD SB296

Children subject to adult criminal court jurisdiction who are arrested, convicted, or awaiting trial may not be detained in any institution where they have contact with or come within sight or sound of incarcerated adults

Children facing charges under adult criminal court jurisdiction are prohibited from being held in adult correctional facilities, with a limited exception for temporary processing

Temporary holding in adult facilities is permitted only if the child is separated by sight and sound from adults and held for no more than 6 hours total, including transport time to the nearest juvenile facility

Children may not be transported together with adults who have been charged with or convicted of a crime, removing a previous exception that allowed joint transport when juvenile court jurisdiction was waived

Effective date: October 1, 2028