2023 Massachusetts General Laws
Part I - Administration of the Government
Title XVII - Public Welfare
Chapter 119 - Protection and Care of Children, and Proceedings Against Them
Section 87 - Placement of Juvenile in Secure Detention Facility or Secure Correctional Facility or in Any Institution in Which Juvenile Has Contact With Adult Inmates
Section 87. (a) The department of youth services and the department of correction shall not place in a secure detention facility or secure correctional facility any juvenile who has: (1) been charged with or who has committed an offense that would not be criminal if committed by an adult, except juveniles who are held in accordance with the interstate compact on juveniles, as enacted by the commonwealth; (2) not been charged with any offense; or (3) been alleged to be dependent on the court, neglected or abused.
(b) The department of youth services and the department of correction shall not detain or confine any juvenile identified subsection (a) or any juvenile alleged to be or found to be delinquent in any institution in which they have contact with adult inmates; and shall require that individuals employed by the department of youth services or the department of corrections who work with both juveniles and adult inmates be trained and certified to work with juveniles by the department of youth services.
The department of youth services and the department of correction shall promulgate regulations and policies for the implementation, administration and enforcement of this section and maintain adequate records to ensure compliance with this section.
