Bill > HB1821

This bill aims to improve access to information about sealing juvenile records by requiring more comprehensive communication and resources for juveniles and their families. Specifically, when a child is initially referred to the juvenile probation department and upon their final discharge, probation employees must now provide both written and oral explanations about the process of sealing records. Additionally, they must give a list of local resources, including low-cost or pro-bono attorneys who can help with record sealing. The bill also mandates that the Texas Juvenile Justice Department publish an online brochure describing the record sealing process and available resources. Furthermore, the State Bar of Texas is required to create and publicly maintain an online directory of attorneys who offer low-cost or free legal representation for juvenile record sealing across different administrative judicial regions. These provisions are designed to make the record sealing process more transparent and accessible to juveniles and their families, potentially helping young people more easily clear their records and move forward with their lives. The bill is set to take effect on September 1, 2025.

Justice

https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=HB1821