KRS § 610.265 — KY Code / Title LI / Chapter 610 / Section 610.265
610.265 Detention of children in specified facilities -- Time frame for holding detention hearing -- Release of child required if hearing not held as specified
Status: in_force

610.265 Detention of children in specified facilities -- Time frame for holding

detention hearing -- Release of child required if hearing not held as specified.

(1) Any child who is alleged to be a status offender or who is accused of being in

contempt of court on an underlying finding that the child is a status offender may be

detained in a nonsecure facility or a secure juvenile detention facility for a period of

time not to exceed twenty-four (24) hours, exclusive of weekends and holidays,

pending a detention hearing. Any child who is accused of committing a public

offense or of being in contempt of court on an underlying public offense may be

detained in a secure juvenile detention facility or a nonsecure setting approved by

the Department of Juvenile Justice for a period of time not to exceed forty-eight

(48) hours, exclusive of weekends and holidays, pending a detention hearing.

(2) Beginning July 1, 2024, any child accused of committing a public offense that

would be considered a violent felony offense as defined in KRS 532.200 shall be

detained in a secure juvenile detention facility for a period of time not to exceed

forty-eight (48) hours, exclusive of weekends and holidays, pending a detention

hearing, unless the detention hearing can be held within the time allotted to peace

officers to retain custody of the child pursuant to KRS 610.200 or 610.220. This

subsection shall not apply to any child ten (10) years of age or younger.

(3) (a) Any child detained pursuant to subsection (2) of this section shall be assessed

by a mental health professional, whose communications with the child shall

be confidential in conformity with the Kentucky Rules of Evidence, to

determine if the child exhibits behavior that indicates the child could benefit

from cognitive behavioral therapy, other evidence-based behavioral health

programs, substance use disorder treatment, or treatment in a psychiatric

facility for serious mental illness.

(b) Any treatment recommended under this subsection shall be provided by the

Department of Juvenile Justice and may be provided pursuant to a contract

between the Justice and Public Safety Cabinet and a behavioral health

services organization.

(c) If the child is released upon a detention hearing, a court may order the child to

complete any recommended treatment. The Department of Juvenile Justice

shall refer the child to an existing contractor or to other resources for the

treatment.

(4) Any child detained pursuant to subsection (2) of this section shall be permitted

visitation from individuals representing organizations including nonprofit

organizations, faith-based organizations, or community organizations, to connect

them with, expose them to, or minister to them through programs including but not

limited to trades, arts, sports, mentoring, counseling, support programs, or

community-based programs. These organizations may offer transition services to

any child who is released from detention.

(5) Within the period of detention described in subsections (1) and (2) of this section,

exclusive of weekends and holidays, a detention hearing shall be held by the judge

or trial commissioner of the court for the purpose of determining whether the child

shall be further detained. At the hearing held pursuant to this subsection, the court

shall consider the nature of the offense, the child's background and history, and

other information relevant to the child's conduct or condition.

(6) If the court orders a child detained further, that detention shall be served as follows:

(a) If the child is charged with a capital offense, Class A felony, or Class B

felony, detention shall occur in a secure juvenile detention facility pending the

child's next court appearance subject to the court's review of the detention

order prior to that court appearance;

(b) Except as provided in KRS 630.080(2), if it is alleged that the child is a status

offender, the child may be detained in a secure juvenile detention facility for a

period not to exceed twenty-four (24) hours after which detention shall occur

in a nonsecure setting approved by the Department of Juvenile Justice

pending the child's next court appearance subject to the court's review of the

detention order prior to the next court appearance;

(c) If a status offender or a child alleged to be a status offender is charged with

violating a valid court order, the child may be detained in a secure juvenile

detention facility, or in a nonsecure setting approved by the Department of

Juvenile Justice, for a period not to exceed forty-eight (48) hours, exclusive of

weekends and holidays, pending the child's next court appearance;

(d) Prior to ordering a status offender or alleged status offender who is subject to

a valid court order securely detained because the child violated the valid court

order, the court shall:

1. Affirm that the requirements for a valid court order were met at the time

the original order was issued;

2. Make a determination during the adjudicatory hearing that the child

violated the valid court order; and

3. Within forty-eight (48) hours after the adjudicatory hearing on the

violation of a valid court order by the child, exclusive of weekends and

holidays, receive and review a written report prepared by an appropriate

public agency that reviews the behavior of the child and the

circumstances under which the child was brought before the court,

determines the reasons for the child's behavior, and determines whether

all dispositions other than secure detention have been exhausted or are

inappropriate. If a prior written report is included in the child's file, that

report shall not be used to satisfy this requirement. The child may be

securely detained for a period not to exceed forty-eight (48) hours,

exclusive of weekends and holidays, pending receipt and review of the

report by the court. The hearing shall be conducted in accordance with

KRS 610.060. The findings required by this subsection shall be included

in any order issued by the court which results in the secure or nonsecure

detention of a status offender; and

(e) If the child is charged with a public offense, or contempt on a public offense,

and the county in which the case is before the court is served by a state

operated secure detention facility under the statewide detention plan, the child

shall be referred to the Department of Juvenile Justice for a security

assessment and placement in an approved detention facility or program

pending the child's next court appearance.

(7) If, at the hearing conducted under subsection (5) of this section, the court conducts

an adjudicatory hearing on the merits of a violation of a valid court order, that

hearing shall conform to the requirements of KRS 630.080.

(8) If the detention hearing is not held as provided in subsection (1) of this section, the

child shall be released as provided in KRS 610.290.

(9) If the child is not released, the court-designated worker shall notify the parent,

person exercising custodial control or supervision, a relative, guardian, or other

responsible adult, and the Department of Juvenile Justice or the cabinet, as

appropriate.