Senate Bill 946 Summary

• Requires city and county jails to notify the State Department of Health within 24 hours of detaining anyone under 18 years of age, and mandates records of juvenile detentions be provided to the Department of Health.

• Modifies jail inspection standards to include updated language on food services, staffing training requirements (minimum 4 hours, maximum 8 hours annually after first year), and cell requirements with fixed sleeping surfaces at least 12 inches off the floor.

• Authorizes the State Department of Health to establish and enforce compliance standards for jails detaining juveniles, including sight and sound separation requirements, and allows waivers for undue hardship or temporary emergencies.

• Prohibits complaints about city or county jails from being made public unless violations are substantiated by the Department, and requires redaction of inmate personal information in public records.

• Extends the compliance deadline for jail facilities to meet established standards from January 1, 1995 to January 1, 2027.