86R22082 ADM-D
 
  By: Bowers, Allen, et al. H.B. No. 2027
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to information regarding the procedures and available
  resources for the sealing of juvenile records.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 58.262, Family Code, is amended by
  amending Subsections (a) and (b) and adding Subsections (a-1),
  (b-1), and (e) to read as follows:
         (a)  When a child is referred to the juvenile probation
  department, an employee of the juvenile probation department shall
  give the child and the child's parent, guardian, or custodian:
               (1)  a written explanation describing the process of
  sealing records under this subchapter and a copy of this
  subchapter; and
               (2)  a list of local resources that may assist the child
  in applying to have the child's records sealed, including attorneys
  who, at low or no cost, represent persons in applying for the
  sealing of juvenile records.
         (a-1)  At the time an employee of the juvenile probation
  department gives a written explanation under Subsection (a), the
  employee shall additionally provide an oral explanation of the
  process of sealing records to the child and the child's parent,
  guardian, or custodian and allow any of those persons to ask
  questions regarding the process.
         (b)  On the final discharge of a child, or on the last
  official action in the matter if there is no adjudication, a
  probation officer, other official at the juvenile probation
  department, or official at the Texas Juvenile Justice Department,
  as appropriate, shall give the child and the child's parent,
  guardian, or custodian:
               (1)  a written explanation regarding the eligibility of
  the child's records for sealing under this subchapter and a copy of
  this subchapter; and
               (2)  a list of local resources that may assist the child
  in applying to have the child's records sealed, including attorneys
  who, at low or no cost, represent persons in applying for the
  sealing of juvenile records.
         (b-1)  At the time a probation officer, other official at the
  juvenile probation department, or official at the Texas Juvenile
  Justice Department gives a written explanation under Subsection
  (b), the officer or official shall additionally provide an oral
  explanation of the eligibility of the child's records for sealing
  to the child and the child's parent, guardian, or custodian and
  allow any of those persons to ask questions regarding the child's
  eligibility and the process of having records sealed.
         (e)  The Texas Juvenile Justice Department shall publish on
  the department's Internet website a brochure that describes the
  process of sealing records under this subchapter and that lists
  resources that may assist a child in applying to seal the child's
  records.
         SECTION 2.  Subchapter C-1, Chapter 58, Family Code, is
  amended by adding Section 58.2625 to read as follows:
         Sec. 58.2625.  ONLINE DIRECTORY OF ATTORNEYS FOR SEALING
  JUVENILE RECORDS.  (a)  In this section, "state bar" means the State
  Bar of Texas.
         (b)  The state bar shall create and maintain a directory of
  attorneys in this state who, at low or no cost, represent persons in
  applying for the sealing of juvenile records.  The directory must
  describe the administrative judicial regions created under Section
  74.042, Government Code, and list the attorneys who offer that
  representation in those regions.
         (c)  The state bar shall make the directory available to the
  public on the state bar's Internet website.
         SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2019.