SRC-SLL C.S.S.B. 625 75(R)BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research CenterC.S.S.B. 625 By: Whitmire Criminal Justice 4-1-97 Committee Report (Substituted) DIGEST Currently, information about juveniles is kept confidential. Under certain circumstances, this information should be released. This bill will authorize the Department of Public Safety to disseminate certain information about a juvenile offender who has escaped from the custody of the Texas Youth Commission if it is necessary to protect the public welfare. PURPOSE As proposed, C.S.S.B. 625 authorizes the Department of Public Safety to disseminate certain information about a juvenile offender who has escaped from the custody of the Texas Youth Commission if it is necessary to protect the public welfare. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY This bill does not grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Section 58.106, Family Code, by amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsection (c), to provide that, except as otherwise provided by this section, information contained in the juvenile justice information system is confidential information. Authorizes the Department of Public Safety, if necessary to protect the welfare of the community, to disseminate to the public certain information relating to a juvenile offender who has escaped the custody of the Texas Youth Commission. SECTION 2. Makes application of this Act retroactive. SECTION 3. Emergency clause. Effective date: upon passage. SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE CHANGES SECTION 1. Amends Section 58.106(c)(4), Family Code, to change the phrase "was sentenced to commitment" to "was committed."