HB3566 Summary

• Persons aged 13-14 charged with first-degree murder are held accountable as adults but may be certified as youthful offenders or juveniles under specified conditions.

• Persons aged 15-17 charged with first-degree murder are held accountable as adults without option for youthful offender or juvenile certification, and must be tried as adults for all subsequent offenses.

• Persons aged 15-17 charged with specified crimes including second-degree murder, kidnapping, rape, robbery, arson, drug trafficking, and eluding police are held accountable as youthful offenders but may be certified as juveniles or adults.

• District attorneys have sole discretion to charge persons aged 15-17 with first-degree rape either as adults or youthful offenders, with corresponding adult or youthful offender procedures applying.

• The act becomes effective November 1, 2024, and requires preliminary hearings commence within 90 days of filing, with specified exceptions for fugitives and those with unknown whereabouts.