SB398 Summary

• Amends Section 12-15-133 to grant state prosecutors access to all juvenile legal files (petitions, motions, orders, decrees) in criminal proceedings and youthful offender applications regardless of jurisdiction.

• Allows juvenile court judges to grant prosecutors access to specific confidential records, reports, and information upon determining legitimate need through written request.

• Amends Section 15-19-7 to permit state prosecutors to access fingerprints, photographs, and other records of persons adjudged youthful offenders from court files regardless of jurisdiction.

• Permits confidential juvenile legal files to be placed on automated information sharing systems accessible to prosecutors, departments, agencies, and entities entitled to access under the law.

• Becomes effective on the first day of the third month following passage and gubernatorial approval.