BILL ANALYSIS

S.B. 670

By: Whitmire

Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

There is concern that a provision of law regarding the inspection of certain records and files relating to a child's juvenile justice proceeding is being interpreted differently throughout the state. For example, interested parties note that some counties allow the defense attorney of a child who is a party to such a proceeding to make copies of offense reports in the district attorney's case file, while other counties claim that state law prevents the district attorney's office from allowing such copies to be made. S.B. 670 seeks to clarify this issue.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

S.B. 670 amends the Family Code to authorize certain individuals or entities associated with a child's juvenile justice proceeding to copy, in addition to inspect, the records and files of a juvenile court, a clerk of court, a juvenile probation department, or a prosecuting attorney relating to the child under certain circumstances.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2013.