House Bill 1352 Summary

• Establishes the Mississippi Juvenile Detention Facilities Licensing Act, requiring all juvenile detention facilities to obtain a license from the Juvenile Facilities Monitoring Unit of the Department of Public Safety by October 1, 2016.

• Creates a seven-member advisory council to assist the licensing agency in developing regulations and hearing appeals related to facility licensure, with members appointed from youth court judges, disability rights organizations, public defenders, sheriffs' associations, and detention directors.

• Mandates juvenile detention centers provide interpretation services for youth with limited English proficiency or who are deaf or hard of hearing, with services available 24 hours per day and fully funded by the state through a single statewide contract.

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

• Authorizes the Mississippi Facility to Treat Girls with Substance Abuse Disorder under the State Board of Mental Health for adolescents with substance abuse disorders committed by youth court judges or voluntarily admitted.