AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

 

S.B. 670 amends Section 58.007(b), Family Code, to allow certain appropriate parties to copy and inspect records and files of juvenile courts.  Currently, statute allows the inspection of these records but does not specify whether copying is permissible.  There have been reported cases where the defense attorney for a juvenile was not permitted to copy the records of the attorney's client.  While the number of people with access to juvenile records should be limited, the defense attorney should have full access to pertinent files in order to provide the best outcome for the juvenile.

 

S.B. 670 amends current law relating to the copying of certain records and files relating to a child who is a party to a juvenile proceeding.

 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

 

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

 

SECTION 1.  Amends Section 58.007(b), Family Code, to authorize the records and files of a juvenile court, a clerk of court, a juvenile probation department, or a prosecuting attorney relating to a child who is a party to a proceeding under Title 3 (Juvenile Justice Code), Family Code, except as provided by Article 15.27 (Notification to Schools Required), Code of Criminal Procedure, to be inspected or copied, rather than are open to inspection, only by certain enumerated persons, agencies, and entities.

 

SECTION 2.  Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2013.