Juveniles: confidentiality of records.

Existing law requires the case file of a dependent child or ward of the juvenile court to be kept confidential, except as specified. Existing law authorizes only certain persons to inspect the case file, including, among others, the attorneys for the parties, judges, referees, other hearing officers, and law enforcement officers who are participating in proceedings involving the dependent child or ward. This bill would provide that nothing in these provisions authorizes the disclosure of juvenile information to federal officials absent a court order upon filing a petition, as specified. The bill also would provide that nothing in these provisions authorizes the dissemination of juvenile information to, or by, federal officials absent a court order upon filing a petition, as specified. This bill would also provide that nothing in these provisions authorizes the attachment of juvenile information to other documents given to, or provided by, federal officials absent prior approval of the presiding judge of the juvenile court. This bill would specify that "juvenile information" includes the juvenile case file and information related to the juvenile, as specified.