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42 Pa.C.S. § 6336.2

Use of restraints on children during court proceedings

Known as the Juvenile Act

The act spans §§ 42-6301 to 42-6387 (64 sections).

(May 29, 2012, P.L.570, No.56, eff. 60 days)

(a) Use of restraints.--Except as provided for in subsection (b), restraints such as handcuffs, chains, shackles, irons or straitjackets shall be removed prior to the commencement of a court proceeding.

(b) Exception.--Restraints may be used during a court proceeding if the court determines on the record, after providing the child with an opportunity to be heard, that they are necessary:

(1) to prevent physical harm to the child or another person;

(2) to prevent disruptive courtroom behavior, evidenced by a history of behavior that created potentially harmful situations or presented substantial risk of physical harm; or

(3) to prevent the child, evidenced by an escape history or other relevant factors, from fleeing the courtroom.

Official source: Pennsylvania General Assembly. Reproduced from public-domain Pennsylvania statutes; confirm against the official source for the current text. Not legal advice.