Baltimore City offices may use juvenile records to support children

The three offices may access and confidentially use a child’s juvenile police record. The offices are the Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement, the Mayor’s Office of Children and Family Success, and the Mayor’s Office of African American Male Engagement. The record must concern a child receiving that office’s programs or services. The office must be providing programs or services to the child for a purpose relevant to those services and developing a comprehensive treatment plan. Before access, the office must make a written agreement with the agency sharing the record and obtain the parent’s or guardian’s express written consent in one document. The office is liable for an unauthorized release of a police record it accesses. The law takes effect October 1, 2026, and expires after September 30, 2031.

The three offices may access and confidentially use a child’s juvenile court record. The offices are the Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement, the Mayor’s Office of Children and Family Success, and the Mayor’s Office of African American Male Engagement. The child must be receiving services in conjunction with the Department of Juvenile Services. The office must provide programs or services in conjunction with the Department of Juvenile Services for a purpose directly related to the child’s treatment, rehabilitation, return-to-community planning, or continuity of care. Before access, the office must make a written agreement with the Department that identifies the records, explains why disclosure is needed, limits their use, bars sharing them with others, and requires compliance with confidentiality laws. The office must obtain the parent’s or guardian’s express written consent in one document and is liable for an unauthorized release of a court record it accesses. The law takes effect October 1, 2026, and expires after September 30, 2031.