1. (a) This section applies only to the inspection, copying, and maintenance of a record concerning a child and to the storage of information from which a record could be generated, including personally identifiable information, information obtained for the purpose of diagnosis, examination, evaluation, or treatment of the child or for making a referral for treatment of the child, and other records or information, created by or in the possession of:

   1. (1) the Texas Juvenile Justice Department;
   2. (2) an entity having custody of the child under a contract with the Texas Juvenile Justice Department; or
   3. (3) another public or private agency or institution having custody of the child under order of the juvenile court, including a facility operated by or under contract with a juvenile board or juvenile probation department.

2. (a-1) Except as provided by Article 15.27, Code of Criminal Procedure, the records and information to which this section applies may be disclosed only to:

   1. (1) the professional staff or consultants of the agency or institution;
   2. (2) the judge, probation officers, and professional staff or consultants of the juvenile court;
   3. (3) an attorney for the child;
   4. (4) a governmental agency if the disclosure is required or authorized by law;
   5. (5) a person or entity to whom the child is referred for treatment or services if the agency or institution disclosing the information has entered into a written confidentiality agreement with the person or entity regarding the protection of the disclosed information;
   6. (6) the Texas Department of Criminal Justice and the Texas Juvenile Justice Department for the purpose of maintaining statistical records of recidivism and for diagnosis and classification; or
   7. (7) with permission from the juvenile court, any other person, agency, or institution having a legitimate interest in the proceeding or in the work of the court.
3. (b) This section does not affect the collection, dissemination, or maintenance of information as provided by Subchapter B or D-1.

Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 262, Sec. 53, eff. Jan. 1, 1996.

Amended by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 283, Sec. 27, eff. Sept. 1, 2003.

Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 908 (H.B. 2884), Sec. 26(a), eff. September 1, 2007.

Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 734 (H.B. 1549), Sec. 60, eff. September 1, 2015.

Acts 2017, 85th Leg., R.S., Ch. 746 (S.B. 1304), Sec. 9, eff. September 1, 2017.