HB 597 Summary

• Establishes rights for children under 18 during custodial interrogations, including the right to an attorney, right to remain silent, and right to communicate with parents or guardians.

• Requires law enforcement to inform children of their Miranda-like rights in the child's own language before questioning about alleged criminal acts.

• Prohibits questioning if a child indicates they do not wish to be questioned, want to speak with a parent/guardian, or want to consult an attorney.

• Mandates audio or video recording of all custodial interrogations of children at places of detention and requires recording when feasible at other locations, with limited exceptions for equipment failure, spontaneous statements, or routine processing questions.

• For serious crimes including murder, rape, and assault, requires an attorney to be present during the entire custodial interrogation and bars parents/guardians from waiving a child's rights; admissions are inadmissible unless made with attorney or parent present and both child and parent are advised of rights.