House approves amendment to open certain juvenile records after school homicides

The House approved Senate Bill 9 92 as amended to make certain juvenile delinquency records open for public inspection when a juvenile commits a homicide on school grounds and the juvenile is deceased. Representative Garrett, sponsor of the broader juvenile-court software and records bill, explained that an amendment (sponsored from the floor) changes public‑access rules for such records.

Representative Garrett said the amendment makes any juvenile court record tied to a delinquent proceeding that involves a homicide on school grounds and the death of the juvenile open to public inspection. "If that person has committed a homicide on school grounds and is deceased, those records are now considered a public record," the sponsor said while explaining the amendment’s intent.

Chairman Clemens clarified that the administrative office of the courts did not originate that amendment and asked whether the office endorsed it; Representative Garrett said the administrative office was neutral on the amendment and that the amendment was added later in the committee process. Representative Hardaway sought and received clarification that the amendment’s public-access trigger requires both a homicide on school grounds and that the juvenile be deceased.

Sponsor remarks emphasized transparency for communities after school shootings and the desire to know background information about a decedent who committed such an act; supporters said the change would aid public understanding. Opponents raised privacy and process questions and asked whether the administrative office of the courts supported the addition.

The clerk reported the final vote as Ayes 88, Nays 4. The bill, with the amendment, passed the House and will proceed in the legislative process.