Senator Gaston Shares Personal Story in Support of Bill to Limit Handcuffing of Children

Today, the State Senate advanced legislation that would prevent children under the age of 14 from being unnecessarily restrained with handcuffs unless necessary, preventing unnecessary or undue force from being used against youth.

“This happened to me. I was in the car with my brother we got pulled over for a broken tail light and I was put in handcuffs. I was just a kid, and being treated like a criminal in that moment — without understanding why — left me scared, confused, and ashamed, a trauma that haunted me for years,” said Senator Gaston. “This legislation is about trying to cure the societal ill of placing handcuffs on young people. Young children are still developing emotionally, cognitively, and socially — and the trauma inflicted when they are placed in handcuffs can have a lifelong impact on their well-being. I know there are children and parents who have felt the weight of this issue for far too long. This isn’t just about Black and Brown kids —although this happens way to often, it’s about treating all children with dignity, recognizing their developmental needs, and committing to a justice system that protects rather than harms. We’re drawing a clear line: unnecessary force against our youngest must end. I’m grateful to Senator Winfield and Representative Roberts for championing this bill and continuing to lead with compassion and courage.”

Senate Bill 1542, “An Act Concerning The Use Of Handcuffs On Young Children,” prohibits the use of handcuffs to restrain children under 14 starting with initial contact with a police officer. The bill makes exceptions in specific situations, including if restraint is necessary for public safety or necessary because the child is using or is threatening to use physical force on a police officer.

Handcuff use can also be ordered by a court under currently existing policy on using mechanical restraints in juvenile courts. Only a judge can order in-court restraints to be used, while officers filling forms in transporting juveniles to court can complete a form to see their use under specific factors, including charges of a class A felony or a juvenile threatening or attempting escape.

The bill received significant support from organizations including Stop Solitary CT, the National Youth Justice Network and Connecticut Voices For Children.

Connecticut Voices For Children noted that the policy change represents a positive shift in how Connecticut responds to children in crisis, noting that in 2023, 15% of all juvenile arrests involved more than 800 children under the age of 14, despite the criminal justice system not being designed to meet the developmental needs of children. Early involvement in the legal system correlates to greater odds of arrest in the future, it noted, and Black children are disproportionately subjected to restraint compared to others.

The National Youth Justice Network also mentioned those trends, noting that early contact with the legal system creates a pipeline that perpetuates delinquency.

The bill previously passed the Judicial Committee by a vote of 33-6. It heads to the House for further consideration.