1. (a) This section applies only to the inspection, copying, and maintenance of a record concerning a child and the storage of information, by electronic means or otherwise, concerning the child from which a record could be generated and does not affect the collection, dissemination, or maintenance of information as provided by Subchapter B or D-1. This section does not apply to a record relating to a child that is:

   1. (1) required or authorized to be maintained under the laws regulating the operation of motor vehicles in this state;
   2. (2) maintained by a municipal or justice court; or
   3. (3) subject to disclosure under Chapter 62, Code of Criminal Procedure.

2. (b) Except as provided by Section 54.051(d-1) and by Article 15.27, Code of Criminal Procedure, the records, whether physical or electronic, 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 this title may be inspected or copied only by:

   1. (1) the judge, probation officers, and professional staff or consultants of the juvenile court;
   2. (2) a juvenile justice agency as that term is defined by Section 58.101;
   3. (3) an attorney representing a party in a proceeding under this title;
   4. (4) 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;
   5. (5) a public or private agency or institution providing supervision of the child by arrangement of the juvenile court, or having custody of the child under juvenile court order; or
   6. (6) 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-1) A person who is the subject of the records is entitled to access the records for the purpose of preparing and presenting a motion or application to seal the records.
4. (c) Repealed by Acts 2017, 85th Leg., R.S., Ch. 746 (S.B. 1304), Sec. 21(4), eff. September 1, 2017.
5. (d) Repealed by Acts 2017, 85th Leg., R.S., Ch. 746 (S.B. 1304), Sec. 21(4), eff. September 1, 2017.
6. (e) Repealed by Acts 2017, 85th Leg., R.S., Ch. 746 (S.B. 1304), Sec. 21(4), eff. September 1, 2017.
7. (f) Repealed by Acts 2017, 85th Leg., R.S., Ch. 746 (S.B. 1304), Sec. 21(4), eff. September 1, 2017.
8. (g) For the purpose of offering a record as evidence in the punishment phase of a criminal proceeding, a prosecuting attorney may obtain the record of a defendant's adjudication that is admissible under Section 3(a), Article 37.07, Code of Criminal Procedure, by submitting a request for the record to the juvenile court that made the adjudication. If a court receives a request from a prosecuting attorney under this subsection, the court shall, if the court possesses the requested record of adjudication, certify and provide the prosecuting attorney with a copy of the record. If a record has been sealed under this chapter, the juvenile court may not provide a copy of the record to a prosecuting attorney under this subsection.

9. (h) The juvenile court may disseminate to the public the following information relating to a child who is the subject of a directive to apprehend or a warrant of arrest and who cannot be located for the purpose of apprehension:

   1. (1) the child's name, including other names by which the child is known;
   2. (2) the child's physical description, including sex, weight, height, race, ethnicity, eye color, hair color, scars, marks, and tattoos;
   3. (3) a photograph of the child; and
   4. (4) a description of the conduct the child is alleged to have committed, including the level and degree of the alleged offense.
10. (i) In addition to the authority to release information under Subsection (b)(6), a juvenile probation department may release information contained in its records without leave of the juvenile court pursuant to guidelines adopted by the juvenile board.

11. (j) Before a child or a child's parent or guardian may inspect or copy a record or file concerning the child under Subsection (e), the custodian of the record or file shall redact:

    1. (1) any personally identifiable information about a juvenile suspect, offender, victim, or witness who is not the child; and
    2. (2) any information that is excepted from required disclosure under Chapter 552, Government Code, or other law.

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

Amended by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 1086, Sec. 19, eff. Sept. 1, 1997;

Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 1086, Sec. 20, eff. Sept. 1, 1997;

Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 815, Sec. 1, eff. June 18, 1999;

Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 1415, Sec. 20, eff. Sept. 1, 1999;

Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 1477, Sec. 18, eff. Sept. 1, 1999;

Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1297, Sec. 37, eff. Sept. 1, 2001.

Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 879 (H.B. 1960), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2007.

Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 908 (H.B. 2884), Sec. 17, eff. September 1, 2007.

Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 87 (S.B. 1969), Sec. 25.061, eff. September 1, 2009.

Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 124 (S.B. 670), Sec. 1, eff. May 24, 2013.

Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1299 (H.B. 2862), Sec. 28, eff. September 1, 2013.

Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 734 (H.B. 1549), Sec. 61, eff. September 1, 2015.

Acts 2017, 85th Leg., R.S., Ch. 746 (S.B. 1304), Sec. 11, eff. September 1, 2017.

Acts 2017, 85th Leg., R.S., Ch. 746 (S.B. 1304), Sec. 12, eff. September 1, 2017.

Acts 2017, 85th Leg., R.S., Ch. 746 (S.B. 1304), Sec. 21(4), eff. September 1, 2017.

Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 131 (H.B. 1760), Sec. 12(3), eff. September 1, 2019.