§ 9-237. Juvenile detention facilities -- Standards

   (a) In general. -- The Department shall adopt regulations that set standards for juvenile detention facilities operated by the Department and by private agencies under contract with the Department.

(b) Purposes. -- The standards shall reflect the following central purposes of juvenile detention:

   (1) to protect the public;

   (2) to provide a safe, humane, and caring environment for children; and

   (3) to provide access to required services for children.

(c) Included provisions. -- The standards shall include provisions establishing:

   (1) a policy that eliminates the unnecessary use of detention and that prioritizes diversion and appropriate nonsecure alternatives;

   (2) criteria for the placement of a child in a particular juvenile detention facility;

   (3) population limits for each juvenile detention facility that may not be exceeded except in emergency circumstances;

   (4) a requirement that staffing ratios and levels of services be maintained during emergencies;

   (5) specifications for the architectural structure of a juvenile detention facility;

   (6) staff qualifications and training, including training in recognizing and reporting child abuse and neglect;

   (7) the ratio of staff to children in a juvenile detention facility;

   (8) the rights of children in a juvenile detention facility, including the right to privacy, visitors, telephone use, and mail delivery;

   (9) prohibitions against the use of excessive force against a child; and

   (10) internal auditing and monitoring of programs and facilities in the juvenile services system.

(d) Consistency with other laws. -- The standards shall be consistent with this title and Title 3, Subtitle 8A of the Courts Article.

HISTORY: An. Code 1957, art. 83C, § 2-135; 2007, ch. 3, § 2.