BILL NUMBER: AB 1198	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Mullin

                        FEBRUARY 22, 2005

   An act to add Section 831 to the Welfare and Institutions Code,
relating to juvenile court records.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 1198, as introduced, Mullin.   Juvenile court records: County
of San Mateo.
   Existing law generally provides for the confidentiality of court
records. However, existing law specifically authorizes the release of
information concerning a minor to specified persons.
   This bill would authorize the San Mateo County Board of
Supervisors to establish, by resolution, a demonstration project
permitting the exchange of information concerning a juvenile, as
specified. The project would include an evaluation of the impact of
the demonstration project, as specified, and would not exceed 3
years, except as specified.
   Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: no.
State-mandated local program: no.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:


  SECTION 1.  Section 831 is added to the  Welfare and Institutions
Code , to read:
   831.  (a) Notwithstanding any other provision of state law, in
order to enable a demonstration project to test methods and
procedures of providing efficient and effective services to minors
who are subject to the jurisdiction of the juvenile court, who are
recipients of public social or mental health services, or who are at
risk of involvement or the need for those services, the County of San
Mateo may conduct a demonstration program whose objective is to
facilitate the exchange of information and documents that might
otherwise be confidential according to state law or regulations. The
implementation of the demonstration project requires the adoption of
a resolution by the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors.(b) If the
board of supervisors adopts a resolution authorizing the
implementation of the demonstration project, the project shall meet
all of the following requirements:
   (1) In connection with the administration of justice, mental
health, and public social services, the program shall permit
representatives of the court and other service providers to exchange
information that might otherwise be confidential according to state
law or regulation.
   (2) Require all persons or service providers who are permitted to
exchange information under the demonstration project to sign an
agreement that the information exchanged will be used only in
connection with the administration of justice, health services, or
public social services.
   (3) Include an objective evaluation of the impact of the
demonstration project on the quality of juvenile justice, health
services, and public social services provided to the minors.
   (4) Not exceed three years' duration until and unless the board of
supervisors, having reviewed the evaluation of the demonstration
project, determines that the quality of services to minors has been
enhanced by the removal of the statutory and regulatory barriers to
the exchange of information.