House Bill 1342 Summary

• Creates the Mississippi Juvenile Detention Facilities Licensing Act to license and regulate juvenile detention facilities through the Juvenile Facilities Monitoring Unit of the Department of Public Safety; all facilities must be licensed by October 1, 2016.

• Establishes a seven-member advisory council to assist the licensing agency and creates training requirements of 120 hours initially and 40 hours annually for juvenile detention officers.

• Prohibits statements, admissions, or confessions obtained during screening or assessment of juveniles from being admitted as evidence in delinquency or criminal proceedings.

• Requires juvenile detention centers to provide language interpretation and sign language services to youth with language barriers or deaf/hard of hearing status, with the state funding services through a single statewide contract.

• Creates the Mississippi Facility to Treat Girls with Substance Abuse Disorder under the State Board of Mental Health for treatment of adolescent girls with substance abuse disorders.