The bill amends sections 8-10-21 and 14-1-64 of the General Laws, which pertain to the Family Court and the handling of juvenile records. The key insertion in both sections is the provision that records relating to the arrest, detention, apprehension, and disposition of juveniles shall be made available to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) for background checks conducted on individuals under twenty-one years of age, as per federal law (18 U.S.C. § 922(t)(1)(C) and 34 U.S.C. § 40901(1)). This change aims to ensure that juvenile criminal records can be considered during firearm purchase background checks for those under 21.

The bill specifies that while the records of the Family Court are public, certain records, such as those of hearings in matters set forth in § 14-1-5 and juvenile delinquency adjudications, are not available for public inspection unless ordered by the court. However, the records of criminal matters involving adults in Family Court will remain public. Additionally, the bill clarifies that the identity of any juvenile waived or certified and convicted as an adult shall be made public. The act is set to take effect upon passage, and it is explained that its purpose is to allow the Family Court to disclose juvenile criminal records to the NICS for firearm purchase background checks.

Statutes affected:
8154  as amended: 8-10-21, 14-1-64
8154: 8-10-21, 14-1-64