Bill Summary

by Hart

Prosecuting Children as Adults: Prohibits jail or other adult facility from holding child transferred to adult court for criminal prosecution before hearing to determine if child should be prosecuted as adult, unless hearing waived; removes requirement for state attorney to request court to transfer & certify child for prosecution as adult or to provide written reasons for not making such request; removes references to state attorney's discretion to direct file juvenile; revises discretionary direct file criteria; provides for due process evidentiary hearing before judge upon filing by state attorney of information transferring child to adult court; provides for continued jurisdiction of adult court with regard to child unless court makes specified finding; provides requirements for order to transfer child to adult court; provides for immediate appellate review of order. Effective Date: July 1, 2026

Committee references not assigned.