AL HB320

Amends Section 12-15-134 of the Alabama Code to strengthen protections for juvenile law enforcement records by making it unlawful for any person to knowingly disclose, make use of, or permit use of confidential records identifying a child in the juvenile justice system.

Removes the "directly or indirectly" language from existing law and creates a Class A misdemeanor penalty for violations involving unauthorized disclosure of information that identifies a child or their family under juvenile court jurisdiction.

Maintains existing exceptions allowing disclosure by authorized parties including counsel, prosecutors, parents, guardians, school officials, and other specified entities conducting official duties.

Bill excludes itself from constitutional local funding requirements because it defines a new crime, making it exempt from the 2/3 vote approval process otherwise required under Section 111.05 of the Alabama Constitution of 2022.

Effective date: June 1, 2024.