Juveniles: case file inspection.

Senator Allen's juvenile records legislation revises California's protocols for accessing confidential juvenile case files, establishing new parameters for attorneys and agencies while maintaining privacy protections. The bill modifies Section 827 of the Welfare and Institutions Code to specify that county counsel and city attorneys representing child welfare agencies in dependency proceedings may access these files, replacing previous broader authorization language.

The legislation creates a framework for attorneys representing parties in civil proceedings to obtain juvenile records when cases involve child welfare agencies or probation departments. These attorneys must follow strict confidentiality requirements, including returning or destroying records after proceedings conclude and filing certain information under seal unless the subject requests otherwise. The bill defines civil proceedings as both civil actions and government claims filed under state law.

For deceased minors who were dependents of the juvenile court, the measure implements a presumption favoring record release while requiring redaction of information about other minors. The court may limit access only upon showing that release would harm another child's wellbeing. The bill establishes timelines for petitions, objections, and court decisions regarding record requests.

The measure preserves existing confidentiality protections, stipulating that juvenile records protected under other state or federal laws remain subject to those restrictions. It requires local agencies to provide expanded record access under specified conditions, with state reimbursement available for any resulting mandated costs.