Section 9-237 - Juvenile detention facilities - Standards. - Maryland Statutes

§ 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. 
 

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