Juvenile court records: access.

Existing law generally subjects any person under 18 years of age who commits a crime to the jurisdiction of the juvenile court, which may adjudge that person to be a ward of the court. Under existing law, juvenile court proceedings to declare a minor a ward of the court are commenced by the filing of a petition by the probation officer, the district attorney after consultation with the probation officer, or the prosecuting attorney, as specified. Existing law requires the juvenile court to order the petition of a minor who is subject to the jurisdiction of the court dismissed if the minor satisfactorily completes a term of probation or an informal program of supervision, as specified, and requires the court to seal all records pertaining to that dismissed petition in the custody of the juvenile court and in the custody of law enforcement agencies, the probation department, or the Department of Justice in accordance with a specified procedure. Existing law also generally authorizes a person who is the subject of a juvenile court record, or the county probation officer, to petition the court to seal the person's records, including records of arrest, relating to the person's case in the custody of the juvenile court and the probation officer and any other agencies, including law enforcement agencies and public officials. This bill would authorize a judge or prosecutor to access specified sealed records under these provisions for the limited purpose of processing the request of a victim or victim's family member to certify victim helpfulness on specified United States Department of Homeland Security forms. By imposing additional duties on local entities to provide access to these records, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above. This bill would incorporate additional changes to Section 786 of the Welfare and Institutions Code proposed by SB 1126 to be operative only if this bill and SB 1126 are enacted and this bill is enacted last.