Bill > H1558

This bill aims to clarify the authority of the child advocate to access juvenile records. The key provisions are: 1. The child advocate can obtain data on adult and juvenile arrests, as well as court proceedings like arraignments, adjudications, and dispositions, to perform the duties of the office. 2. The child advocate or their designee will have unrestricted access to all electronic information systems, records, reports, materials, and employees of facilities, residences, and programs operated, licensed, or funded by an executive agency, in order to better understand the needs of children in the custody of the Commonwealth or receiving services from an executive agency. 3. The child advocate will have access to all court records, including those held by the clerk of the juvenile court, the clerk of the probate and family court, the Massachusetts Probation Service, and the Department of Criminal Justice Information Services. 4. The child advocate's examination of systemwide service provision to children in the Commonwealth can include various aspects related to child welfare, such as responses to child abuse and neglect, mental health and substance use issues, education, coordination of services, juvenile contact with the criminal justice system, and the effectiveness of child abuse laws.

Budget and Finance, Justice

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/192/H1558