bill explaining juvenile record sealing to kids and parents

The text as introduced · 565 words

By: Bowers
H.B. No. 1821

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to information regarding the procedures and available

resources for the sealing of juvenile records.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Section 58.262, Family Code, is amended by

amending Subsections (a) and (b) and adding Subsections (a-1),

(b-1), and (e) to read as follows:

(a) When a child is referred to the juvenile probation

department, an employee of the juvenile probation department shall

give the child and the child's parent, guardian, or custodian :

(1) a written explanation describing the process of

sealing records under this subchapter and a copy of this

subchapter ; and

(2) a list of local resources that may assist the child

in applying to have the child's records sealed, including attorneys

who, at low or no cost, represent persons in applying for the

sealing of juvenile records .

(a-1) At the time an employee of the juvenile probation

department gives a written explanation under Subsection (a), the

employee shall additionally provide an oral explanation of the

process of sealing records to the child and the child's parent,

guardian, or custodian and allow any of those persons to ask

questions regarding the process.

(b) On the final discharge of a child, or on the last

official action in the matter if there is no adjudication, a

probation officer , other official at the juvenile probation

department, or official at the Texas Juvenile Justice Department,

as appropriate, shall give the child and the child's parent,

guardian, or custodian :

(1) a written explanation regarding the eligibility of

the child's records for sealing under this subchapter and a copy of

this subchapter ; and

(2) a list of local resources that may assist the child

in applying to have the child's records sealed, including attorneys

who, at low or no cost, represent persons in applying for the

sealing of juvenile records .

(b-1) At the time a probation officer, other official at the

juvenile probation department, or official at the Texas Juvenile

Justice Department gives a written explanation under Subsection

(b), the officer or official shall additionally provide an oral

explanation of the eligibility of the child's records for sealing

to the child and the child's parent, guardian, or custodian and

allow any of those persons to ask questions regarding the child's

eligibility and the process of having records sealed.

(e) The Texas Juvenile Justice Department shall publish on

the department's Internet website a brochure that describes the

process of sealing records under this subchapter and that lists

resources that may assist a child in applying to seal the child's

records.

SECTION 2. Subchapter C-1, Chapter 58, Family Code, is

amended by adding Section 58.2625 to read as follows:

Sec. 58.2625. ONLINE DIRECTORY OF ATTORNEYS FOR SEALING

JUVENILE RECORDS. (a) In this section, "state bar" means the State

Bar of Texas.

(b) The state bar shall create and maintain a directory of

attorneys in this state who, at low or no cost, represent persons in

applying for the sealing of juvenile records. The directory must

describe the administrative judicial regions created under Section

74.042, Government Code, and list the attorneys who offer that

representation in those regions.

(c) The state bar shall make the directory available to the

public on the state bar's Internet website.

SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.