SC H5117

Establishes new age thresholds for transferring juvenile cases to adult court: children 12+ for murder charges and 14+ for criminal sexual conduct may be transferred to general sessions court

Requires a full investigation and hearing before any juvenile case transfer, with the court applying a "clear and convincing evidence" standard to determine if retaining family court jurisdiction is contrary to the child's or public's best interest

Sets specific timelines for transfer proceedings: status conference within 30 days, final hearing within 180 days for murder/sexual assault cases and 90 days for other cases, with extensions allowed for good cause

Mandates courts consider 16 specific factors before transfer, including: impact on victim and community, threat to public safety, nature of offense, juvenile's age and mental maturity, prior delinquent history, adverse childhood experiences, and whether rehabilitation is possible before family court jurisdiction expires

Requires transfer orders to include specific written findings addressing each statutory factor, and allows either party to examine witnesses and present evidence at the final hearing