House Bill 1504 Summary

• Creates the Juvenile Detention and Alternatives Task Force to establish licensing standards for juvenile detention centers, with membership including youth court judges, detention directors, sheriffs, county officials, and education representatives.

• Requires all juvenile detention centers to obtain annual licenses based on national standards and best practices, effective December 31, 2016, with the task force responsible for identifying which state agency will conduct licensing.

• Restricts locked cell confinement of youth to specific circumstances: sleeping, sickness, punishment, emergencies, voluntary requests, or protective custody when no less restrictive alternative exists.

• Requires a youth court judge or designee to issue a custody order before law enforcement or other persons may take a child into custody, with orders valid for up to 48 hours excluding weekends and holidays.

• Revises youth court jurisdiction to allow the youth court to assume jurisdiction over implied consent law violations, hunting/fishing violations, and traffic violations that may initially be filed in other courts.

• Mandates educational services for detained students including diagnostic assessment after 48 hours, individualized instruction, and transition planning upon release, with sponsoring school districts providing certified teachers.