Texas House Bill HB4113

Texas 2021 - 87th Regular

Caption

Relating to the confidentiality of juvenile justice information.

Impact

The amendments proposed in HB4113 authorize the Texas Juvenile Justice Department to grant access to identifiable information only under strict conditions. This includes allowing access to specific agencies such as criminal justice organizations, the Texas Education Agency, and other related state departments, but only for approved research or statistical projects. The change aims to enhance the protection of juvenile justice data, ensuring that personal information of juveniles remains secure and confidential.

Summary

House Bill 4113 addresses the confidentiality of juvenile justice information in the state of Texas. The bill amends the Family Code, specifically Section 58.009, to clarify the conditions under which identifiable juvenile justice information can be accessed. It establishes that identifiable information, such as names and personal identifiers of juvenile offenders, is confidential and may only be used by the Texas Juvenile Justice Department for research and statistical purposes, barring dissemination to unauthorized entities.

Contention

Notably, the bill repeals certain existing subsections in Section 58.009 that previously governed the disclosure of juvenile justice information. The contention revolves around balancing the need for data access for research while safeguarding the privacy of juveniles involved in the justice system. While supporters may argue that these protections are essential to prevent misuse of sensitive information, critics could express concerns regarding the potential limitations on research opportunities that require access to this data, thereby impacting studies on juvenile behavior and justice reform.