Revises provisions relating to the use of corrective room restriction. (BDR 5-769)
Summary
AB 167 revises Nevada’s juvenile justice laws governing “corrective room restriction” in state, local, and regional facilities for detained or committed children. The bill keeps existing limits on when room restriction may be used—only after less-restrictive options are exhausted and only for discipline, accountability, or safety/security purposes—but adds a new requirement that any review of a child held in corrective room restriction for more than 24 hours be conducted by a member of the facility staff. That review must also consider whether a referral for mental health screening, evaluation, or treatment is appropriate.
The bill also preserves and restates other safeguards already in law, including 10-minute safety and well-being checks, documentation and supervisor approval for restrictions lasting more than 2 hours, daily access to exercise and other basic services after 24 hours, and a 72-hour cap on consecutive corrective room restriction. Facilities must continue to report monthly data on the use and duration of corrective room restriction to the Juvenile Justice Programs Office, including explanations when a child cannot be returned to the general population after 72 hours. Overall, the measure appears aimed at strengthening oversight and ensuring that prolonged isolation-like practices are reviewed with attention to mental health needs.
Impact
AB 167 amends NRS 62B.215 and NRS 63.505, affecting local detention facilities and regional treatment and rehabilitation facilities that house children. Its main legal change is to require that the 24-hour review of a child in corrective room restriction be performed by facility staff and include consideration of mental health referral needs, with written justification required if the restriction continues. The bill does not eliminate corrective room restriction, but it tightens procedural safeguards and reinforces reporting and documentation requirements for facilities and the Division of Child and Family Services.
Sentiment
The bill appears to have broad bipartisan support and little visible opposition. It passed the Assembly 42-0 and the Senate 21-0, indicating unanimous support in both chambers. The lack of committee transcript material suggests no recorded controversy in the available context, and the voting history points to a generally favorable view of the bill as a child-welfare and juvenile-justice oversight measure.
Contention
The primary policy issue underlying the bill is the use of room restriction or seclusion-like practices for juveniles, especially when those practices extend beyond a day. The bill’s added mental health review requirement suggests concern that prolonged isolation may affect children’s mental health and that facilities should more actively consider clinical intervention. Any potential contention would likely center on facility discretion and operational burden versus stronger protections for detained youth, but the available record shows no recorded disagreement and unanimous votes in both chambers.
Requires DCF and DOE to establish policies and procedures relating to child abuse and neglect and child abuse prevention during certain public health emergencies.
Restricting the possession of weapons on the premises of state or local public buildings, parks or playground facilities where children are likely to be present, and county fairs and county fair facilities.
Requires DCF and DOE to establish policies and procedures relating to child abuse and neglect and child abuse prevention during certain public health emergencies.