The Protecting Miranda Rights for Kids Act would strengthen legal protections for minors during police questioning by requiring law enforcement to notify parents or guardians when a minor is arrested and establishing strict rules for waiving constitutional rights. Under the bill, minors could only waive their right against self-incrimination or their right to an attorney if they first speak with a lawyer in person, and they would have the right to have their assigned attorney physically present during interrogation. The legislation includes a narrow exception for emergency situations where questioning is necessary to prevent an imminent threat to life. Any statements a minor makes during police questioning that violates these requirements, along with any evidence derived from those statements, would be inadmissible in federal criminal prosecutions. The bill applies to anyone under 18 years old and does not specify any funding amounts or implementation timeline beyond the standard federal legislative process.
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