HB 1971 Summary

• Enacts the "Accountability, Transparency, and Protection for Exploited Youth Act" requiring employees, contractors, volunteers, and third parties at state-run juvenile facilities, private contractors, group homes, and county detention facilities to immediately report any sexual misconduct or exploitation to both the facility supervisor and a newly established Independent Oversight Committee.

• Establishes an Independent Oversight Committee within the Office of Juvenile Affairs to independently investigate all reports of sexual misconduct, coercive relationships, and exploitation; Committee has authority to subpoena witnesses, gather evidence, and work with law enforcement to investigate criminal charges.

• Imposes criminal penalties of up to 2 years imprisonment and $5,000 fine for failure to report; establishes civil liability for employees and the Office of Juvenile Affairs exempt from the Governmental Tort Claims Act, with civil fines up to $50,000 per victim for negligence in training, responding to reports, or safeguarding juveniles.

• Requires the Office of Juvenile Affairs to provide annual training on prevention and reporting of sexual misconduct to all employees, contractors, and volunteers; mandates Committee submit annual reports to the Legislature detailing investigations and findings.

• Creates exception to juvenile record confidentiality laws allowing law enforcement, parents, attorneys, court-appointed advocates, and court officers to access records directly related to sexual violence incidents; information remains confidential and restricted to authorized purposes.