Relating to the age of criminal responsibility and to certain substantive and procedural matters related to that age.
What changed between versions
Definition of 'child' changed from 18 years of age to 17 years of age for determining criminal responsibility and juvenile court jurisdiction.
17-year-olds can now be prosecuted as adults for certain offenses, including those involving sexual abuse, gang activity, and crimes committed near schools or other sensitive locations.
Juvenile detention facilities must now meet adult facility standards for 17-year-olds transferred to adult facilities, and certain expungement rules now apply to offenses committed before age 17.
Most substantive provisions apply only to offenses committed on or after September 1, 2027, with grandfathering for earlier offenses.
Age references throughout the bill were updated from 18 to 17, affecting eligibility for various juvenile protections and procedures.
