H879 Summary

• Raises the age threshold for requiring parental/guardian presence during juvenile interrogation from 14 to 16 years old, ensuring custodial admissions or confessions are inadmissible without such presence.

• Establishes formal procedures for motions to suppress evidence in juvenile adjudicatory hearings, including written motion requirements, affidavits, and provisions for summary rulings or evidentiary hearings with findings of fact.

• Requires juvenile court counselors to make reasonable efforts to meet with juveniles and families before filing complaints for divertable offenses, reducing further entry into the delinquency system.

• Mandates that courts provide information on juvenile record expunction at the time of issuing dispositional orders and requires written orders for continued secure custody with hearings at intervals of no more than 10 calendar days.

• Becomes effective December 1, 2015 for offenses committed on or after that date.