Prohibits handcuffing children twelve (12) or under at initial police contact unless needed for public safety or if the child is using or threatening physical force against an officer.

## Summary of the Bill

This bill would restrict when police officers can use handcuffs on children who are twelve years old or younger. Under the proposed law, officers would generally be prohibited from handcuffing young children during their initial contact with them. The bill recognizes that handcuffing very young children is an extreme measure that should only be used in limited circumstances.

There are two exceptions where handcuffing would still be allowed. Officers could handcuff a child aged twelve or under if it is necessary to protect public safety, or if the child is actively using or threatening to use physical force against an officer. Outside of these specific situations, officers would need to use other methods when interacting with young children.

This bill primarily affects law enforcement officers and children twelve and under who come into contact with police. It falls under Rhode Island's laws governing how the justice system handles cases involving minors, specifically proceedings in Family Court related to delinquent and dependent children. The bill has been introduced in the Rhode Island House of Representatives and referred to the House Judiciary Committee for consideration.