HB 343 Summary

• Adds child placement agencies licensed under AS 47.32 to the list of entities that may receive confidential Department of Health and Social Services records necessary to provide services for children subject to court jurisdiction.

• Expands disclosure authority to state or municipal agencies responsible for delinquent minors, with a court review mechanism allowing objectors to challenge disclosure by proving it is not in the child's best interest.

• Establishes public disclosure requirements for records of minors age 13 or older adjudicated delinquent for serious offenses (felonies against persons, arson, burglary, child pornography, prostitution, drug distribution, and weapons misconduct), with a 5-year time limit on disclosure and victim identification protections.

• Allows the Department of Health and Social Services to release information on minors not subject to court jurisdiction to persons with legitimate interest, and requires the department to adopt implementing regulations under AS 44.62.

• Takes effect July 1, 2012, with the transition provisions for regulations taking effect immediately.