Salem, Ore. — Oregon senators voted unanimously to pass a bill that would ban the use of physical restraints on children during juvenile court proceedings unless the court rules otherwise.
Senate Bill 846 will now move on to the House for approval.
The Oregonian/OregonLive reports Sen. Sara Gelser (D-Corvallis) said, “Children do not belong in ankle shackles, handcuffs or belly chains. When I walked into a local courtroom and saw a young child in shackles last summer, I was stunned. Frightened kids need support, not chains. This is about the basic dignity of all kids, and I’m so proud of advocates and public safety officials coming together to address this issue through SB 846.”
A retired circuit court judge said there were “dramatically different” practices across the state regarding the shackling of juveniles.
Under the Senate bill, no physical restraints may be used on a juvenile unless the court finds there is “immediate and serious risk of dangerous or disruptive behavior.”
The Senate bill also extends the ban on restraints while transporting a child who is a ward of the Oregon Department of Human Services or the Health.
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