23 LC 48 0702
H. B. 544
- 1 -
House Bill 544
By: Representatives Schofield of the 63
rd
, Scott of the 76
th
, Hutchinson of the 106
th
, and
Davis of the 87
th
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
To amend Code Section 15-11-503 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to
1
detention decision and findings, so as to prohibit the use of solitary confinement for punitive2
purposes in juvenile detention facilities; to provide for a definition; to provide for related3
matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.4
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:5
SECTION 1.6
Code Section 15-11-503 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to detention7
decision and findings, is amended by adding a new subsection to read as follows:8
"(a.1)(1) As used in this Code section, 'solitary confinement' means the involuntary
9
placement of a child in detention who is alone in a cell, room, or other area, except during10
regularly scheduled sleeping hours, including but not limited to any behavioral11
intervention, seclusion, isolation, segregation, administrative convenience, or room12
confinement, in response to rule violations or staffing shortages or for any other reason13
that is not an emergency response to behavior that poses a serious and immediate threat14
of bodily harm to the child or others.15 23 LC 48 0702
H. B. 544
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(2) A child shall not be placed in solitary confinement for the purpose of discipline,16
punishment, administrative convenience, retaliation, protective custody, suicide17
intervention, or general behavior management that is not an emergency response to a18
serious and immediate threat of bodily harm to the child or others or in response to rule19
violations or staffing shortages or for any other reason that is not an emergency response20
to behavior that poses a serious and immediate threat of bodily harm to the child or21
others."22
SECTION 2.23
All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.24