The bill amends Section 12-15-134 of the Code of Alabama 1975, concerning the protection and disclosure of juvenile law enforcement records. It specifies that law enforcement records and files related to a child should be safeguarded against unauthorized disclosure, with certain exceptions for individuals and entities such as juvenile courts, law enforcement officers, school principals, and legal guardians, among others. The bill also outlines circumstances under which law enforcement records may be inspected by victims or reported to the Alabama State Law Enforcement Agency.

Significant changes include an insertion that allows for the publication of photographs, likeness, and personal identifying information contained in law enforcement records of a person charged under Section 12-15-204 only after specific legal thresholds are met, such as a probable cause determination by a judge or an indictment by a grand jury. Additionally, the bill modifies the language regarding the unlawful disclosure of information, changing it from "directly or indirectly" to "knowingly" and removing "knowingly" before "permits the use of information." It also adds a new provision that does not limit a prosecuting authority from disclosing confidential law enforcement records as needed for investigation or prosecution. The bill defines a new crime or amends the definition of an existing crime, and therefore, despite requiring new or increased local expenditure, it is excluded from further requirements under Section 111.05 of the Constitution of Alabama of 2022. The act is set to become effective on June 1, 2024.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 12-15-134, 12-15-134
Enrolled: 12-15-134, 12-15-134