Provisions in Section 2 of the bill would facilitate locating delinquent youth who have escaped from private residential facilities or failed to return from leave. This will result in their return to DCF custody in a more expeditious manner. It is anticipated that no fiscal impact will result for the DCF from its passage. The bill would result in a minimal cost to various criminal justice agencies by establishing criminal penalties for any person possessing a device or instrument specifically designed to facilitate shoplifting or escaping from DCF custody under provisions in the bill. Although the exact number of criminal cases that will result is unknown, it is anticipated that any additional cases introduced into the criminal justice system can be absorbed within its current budget and caseload management structure.
Any revenue incurred from fines resulting from the bill is anticipated to be minimal.
A misdemeanor to possess a device designed to facilitate shoplifting. The commissioner must make reasonable attempts to inform the child's parents or guardian before taking such action and must send them notice by letter to their last known address. But if DCF proposes to transfer the child out of state, the bill requires it to provide a hearing, which it is already required to do under another statute if the transfer is involuntary. This hearing must follow the procedures in the Uniform Administrative Procedure Act for contested cases. A misdemeanor otherwise.