Bill > HB158

This bill modifies Missouri's juvenile court records confidentiality law by expanding and clarifying provisions for when and how juvenile court records can be accessed or disclosed. The bill maintains the general principle that juvenile court records are confidential, but creates several specific exceptions. These include allowing juvenile officers to share information with certain officials, victims, and school authorities without court order; permitting public access to dispositional hearing records for serious felony offenses; and introducing a new provision that allows releasing a child's name and photograph if they escape from a juvenile detention facility while detained for a dangerous felony. The bill also preserves existing provisions that allow for record destruction or sealing after a child turns 18, permit statistical data compilation, and enable sharing of general case information with victims. Additionally, the bill adds a provision allowing a child's name and photograph to be released to the public if they escape from a juvenile detention facility while in custody for a dangerous felony. The overall intent appears to balance protecting juvenile privacy with ensuring public safety and transparency in certain circumstances.

https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB158&year=2025&code=R