(a) It is the purpose of this section to provide a nonthreatening environment for minors involved in the judicial system in order to better enable them to speak freely and accurately of the experiences that are the subject of judicial inquiry.
(b) Each county is encouraged to provide a room, located within, or within a reasonable distance from, the courthouse, for the use of minors under the age of 16. Should any such room reach full occupancy, preference shall be given to minors under the age of 16 whose appearance has been subpoenaed by the court. The room may be multipurpose in character. The county may seek the assistance of civic groups in the furnishing of the room and the provision of volunteers to aid in its operation and maintenance. If a county newly constructs, substantially remodels or refurbishes any courthouse or facility used as a courthouse on or after January 1, 1988, that courthouse or facility shall contain the room described in this subdivision.
(Added by Stats. 1986, Ch. 976, Sec. 1.)