MN SF286

Modifies Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 260B.163, subdivision 1, governing public hearings in juvenile court proceedings.

Courts shall open delinquency and extended jurisdiction juvenile hearings to the public if the child is alleged to have committed or has committed a felony-level offense and was at least 16 years old at the time of the offense.

Establishes three exceptions allowing courts to close hearings: certification proceedings, extended juvenile jurisdiction proceedings where the prosecutor requests an open hearing, or when the court determines public safety benefits outweigh consequences to the child.

Permits courts to exclude the public from portions of certification hearings involving psychological material or evidence not accessible to the public in adult proceedings.

Requires victims of a child's delinquent act to receive written notification of certification or adjudicatory hearings and case disposition.