An act relating to prohibiting detention and incarceration of minors under 18 years of age in adult correctional facilities

This bill prohibits detaining or incarcerating minors under 18 in adult correctional facilities, except in limited cases where a minor is charged with a crime punishable by life imprisonment and the court determines public safety requires it. It applies to all minors involved in delinquency proceedings - both before and after a court adjudicates them as delinquent. Key provisions require immediate transfer of minors to juvenile facilities if mistakenly placed in adult facilities, mandate court findings for secure facility placement, and establish a process for independent review of prolonged detentions. The bill directly affects minors, juvenile justice agencies, and adult correctional facilities in Vermont.