HB1885 Summary

• Establishes the "Safeguarding Juvenile Justice Act" requiring all interactions between juveniles and judges, attorneys, court officials, or interested parties be recorded in visual and aural format on film, videotape, or other electronic means with accurate, unaltered recordings and identified voices accessible to all parties.

• Mandates a trained advocate or social worker be present during all interactions between juveniles and judges, attorneys, or court officials.

• Requires judges with juvenile docket responsibility to complete at least 6 hours of annual training on appropriate and ethical behavior with juveniles, grooming prevention, and reporting procedures; directs the Administrative Director of Courts to develop and administer these courses.

• Requires district attorneys, public defenders, and court-appointed attorneys with juvenile docket duties to complete at least 3 hours of annual training on the same topics, with each judicial district responsible for developing and administering procedures and rules.

• Amends existing grievance procedures to authorize investigation of complaints regarding "misconduct or inappropriate behavior by judicial or court personnel" and becomes effective November 1, 2025.