HB 2352

Except in cases involving juvenile traffic offenders , present law generally authorizes files and records of the court in a proceeding to be open to inspection only by certain persons and entities. However, petitions and orders of the court in a delinquency proceeding must be open to public inspection and their content s subject to disclosure to the public if either of the following are true:  The juvenile is 14 or older at the time of the alleged act and the conduct constituting the delinquent act, if committed by an adult, would constitute first degree murder, second degree murder, rape, aggravated rape, aggravated sexual battery, rape of a child, aggravated rape of a child, aggravated robbery, especially aggravated robbery, kidnapping, aggravated kidnapping, or especially aggravated kidnapping .  The conduct constituting the delinquent act, if committed by an adult, would constitute an act of terrorism or an attempt to commit an act of terrorism. This bill removes this above-described exception that opens certain petitions and orders of the court to the public, and provides, instead, that generally petitions and orders of the court in a delinquency or unruly proceeding are open to inspection only by any of the following :  A judge, magistrate, officer, or professional staff of a court with juvenile jurisdiction in this state when acting in the course of official duties .  A district attorney general or assistant district attorney general when the inspection relates to the performance of official duties in a matter involving a child .  A public defender or assistant public defender when the inspection relates to the performance of official duties in a matter involving a child. This bill prohibits such a person with access to a petition or order from disclos ing , releas ing , or disseminat ing the information except as otherwise permitted by this bill or other applicable law.