1. (a) Subject to the exception in §349.460 of this chapter, upon written request for copies of records and a determination that the requestor is entitled to have access to those records pursuant to either these rules or a court order issued in accordance with the provisions in §261.201, Family Code, the TJJD will provide copies of the requested records.
2. (b) Notwithstanding any other provision in this chapter, TJJD may not disclose any information that, if released to the requestor, would interfere with a criminal investigation or prosecution.
3. (c) Records will not be released until the investigation of an allegation of abuse, neglect, and exploitation is complete unless TJJD determines that release prior to completion of the investigation is necessary to aid in the protection of juveniles.
4. (d) Notwithstanding any other provision in this chapter, if TJJD has been sued and determines that the release of the requested records might interfere with the defense of that litigation, TJJD may require that a requestor seek access to records under the appropriate rules of civil procedure rather than under this chapter.

Source Note:The provisions of this §349.440 adopted to be effective September 1, 2025, 50 TexReg 2616.