The bill amends the Juvenile Diversion Act by revising Section 9 to enhance the confidentiality and use of records kept under this act. It establishes that records can only be used to make decisions regarding the diversion of minors, with a new provision allowing individuals or organizations to submit research requests for these records. If granted, a data use agreement must be negotiated to protect personally identifiable information from public disclosure. The state court administrative office may charge researchers for processing these requests, and the data provided under such agreements is exempt from disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act.

Additionally, the bill clarifies that risk screening and mental health screening tools used in diversion proceedings, along with any information obtained from minors during these screenings, are inadmissible in adjudicatory hearings and not subject to subpoena. The bill also introduces definitions for "data use agreement" and "personally identifiable information" to ensure clarity in the handling of sensitive data. The amendments are set to take effect on October 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
House Introduced Bill: 722.829
As Passed by the House: 722.829