(a) The department shall allow any child committed to the department or adjudicated for conduct that constitutes an offense and placed in a facility operated by or contracted with a juvenile probation department or juvenile board to communicate with the independent ombudsman or an assistant to the ombudsman. The communication:

1. (1) may be in person, by mail, or by any other means; and
2. (2) is confidential and privileged.

(b) The records of the independent ombudsman are confidential, except that the independent ombudsman shall:

1. (1) share with the office of inspector general of the department a communication with a child that may involve the abuse or neglect of the child; and
2. (2) disclose its nonprivileged records if required by a court order on a showing of good cause.

(d) The name, address, or other personally identifiable information of a person who files a complaint with the office of independent ombudsman, information generated by the office of independent ombudsman in the course of an investigation, and confidential records obtained by the office of independent ombudsman are confidential and not subject to disclosure under Chapter 552, Government Code, except that the information and records, other than confidential information and records concerning a pending law enforcement investigation or criminal action, may be disclosed to the appropriate person if the office determines that disclosure is:

1. (1) in the general public interest;
2. (2) necessary to enable the office to perform the responsibilities provided under this section; or

3. (3) necessary to identify, prevent, or treat the abuse or neglect of a child.

   Transferred, redesignated and amended from Human Resources Code, Chapter 64 by Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 85 (S.B. 653), Sec. 1.010, eff. September 1, 2011.

   Acts 2023, 88th Leg., R.S., Ch. 950 (S.B. 1727), Sec. 47, eff. September 1, 2023.