PA HB1384

Prohibits room confinement of children in juvenile detention facilities for discipline, punishment, retaliation, staffing shortages, or administrative convenience, with an exception only for temporary response to behavior posing serious and immediate risk of physical harm

Requires staff to attempt de-escalation techniques before confinement, including conversation with the child, mental health professional intervention, or relocating the child to another area

Limits room confinement to a maximum of 3 hours for children posing harm to others or 30 minutes for children posing harm to themselves, with release required immediately once behavior no longer poses risk

Mandates that a licensed practitioner determine whether alternative treatment such as psychiatric hospitalization is necessary if a child continues posing risk after the time limit expires, and prohibits consecutive periods of confinement

Requires notification to the child's attorney by the next business day when room confinement occurs; the act takes effect 60 days after enactment