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Senate bars routine use of handcuffs on children under 14, with limited public‑safety exceptions

Connecticut State Senate · May 20, 2025
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Summary

The Senate passed legislation prohibiting routine use of handcuffs on children age 13 and younger, while including narrow exceptions for public‑safety, court orders and protection of officers; supporters cited trauma and community policing goals, opponents sought clarity on identification and penalties for honest age‑mistakes.

The Senate adopted substitute for Senate Bill 1542 to prohibit law‑enforcement officers from placing handcuffs on children under 14 in most routine encounters, while carving out exceptions for public‑safety exigencies, court orders and when an officer reasonably believes a child is an imminent danger.

Senator Winfield, sponsor of the measure, said the…

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