Section 27-20.2-21 - Inspection of court files and records - Penalty1. Except as provided in this section, all files and records of the juvenile court, whether in the office of the clerk of court or juvenile court, of a proceeding under this chapter are closed to the public. Juvenile court files and records are open to inspection only by: a. The judge and staff of the juvenile court.b. The parties to the proceeding or the parties' counsel or the guardian ad litem of any party.c. A public or private agency or institution providing supervision or having custody of the child under order of the juvenile court which must be given a copy of the findings and order of disposition when the agency or institution receives custody of the child. If a case involves the federal Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978 [25 U.S.C. 1901 through 1963], the agency or institution having custody of the child shall serve the appropriate Indian Child Welfare Act service agent, tribe or tribal designee, or an Indian Child Welfare Act qualified expert witness with the findings and order of disposition.d. Any court and the court's probation and other officials or professional staff and the attorney for the defendant for use in preparing a presentence report in a criminal case in which the defendant is convicted and who, before the criminal case, had been a party to the proceeding in juvenile court.e. The professional staff of the uniform crime victims compensation program if necessary for the discharge of the duties of the staff pursuant to chapter 54-23.4.f. A staff member of the division of children and family services of the department of health and human services or a law enforcement officer if necessary for the performance of that staff member's duties under section 50-11.1-06.2 or the federal National Child Protection Act of 1993 [Pub. L. 103-209; 107 Stat. 2490; 42 U.S.C. 5119 et seq.].g. An employee or agent of the department of health and human services if necessary for performance of that individual's duty under chapter 50-11 or 50-11.1 to investigate the background of an individual living or working in the facility, home, or residence for which licensure is sought.h. A criminal justice agency if the juvenile is required to register under section 12.1-32-15.i. The staff of a children's advocacy center if the juvenile or a victim of the child has been referred for or has received services at the children's advocacy center.j. A victim of the delinquent child or the victim's guardian. All records including medical, educational, and school information must be redacted before inspection. For purposes of this subdivision, only records pertaining to the specific offense between the victim and the delinquent child may be inspected.k. The information technology department to the extent authorized by the supreme court for use in the statewide longitudinal data system.l. The staff of a juvenile detention center or the staff of a juvenile intake and assessment center designated by the court to assist in performing and scoring the detention screening tool.m. The information technology department to the extent authorized by the supreme court for use in the statewide longitudinal data system.2. Juvenile court files and records are also open to inspection with written leave of a juvenile court judge or judicial referee to whom juvenile court matters have been referred: a. Upon a showing in writing of a legitimate interest in a proceeding or in the work of the juvenile court, but only to the extent necessary to respond to the legitimate interest; andb. By the principal of any public or private school that is a member of the North Dakota high school activities association, or the superintendent of any school district that has one or more schools involved in the association, but only to the extent necessary to enforce the rules and regulations of the North Dakota high school activities association.3. In a proceeding under this chapter, if the juvenile court finds a child committed a delinquent act that constitutes a violation of a law or local ordinance governing the operation of a motor vehicle or a delinquent act of manslaughter or negligent homicide caused by the child's operation of a motor vehicle, the juvenile court shall report the finding to the director of the department of transportation within ten days.4. Following an adjudication of delinquency for an offense that would be a felony if committed by an adult, the child's school principal, chief administrative officer, or designated school guidance counselor, if requested, must be allowed access to the disposition order. Any other juvenile court files and records of a child may be disclosed to a superintendent or principal of the school in which the child is currently enrolled or in which the child wishes to enroll if the child's documented behavior appears to present a danger to self or to the students or staff of the school.5. Following an adjudication of delinquency for an offense that results in the prohibitions included in subsection 1 or 2 of section 62.1-02-01, if requested, a law enforcement officer must be allowed access to the disposition order.6. The juvenile court may notify a referring agency of the disposition of a case.7. Notwithstanding that juvenile court records are closed to the public, nothing in this section may be construed to limit the release upon request of general information not identifying the identity of any juvenile, witness, or victim in any proceeding under this chapter. Files in the clerk of court's office are open to public inspection if the related hearing was open to the public under section 27-20.3-13.8. To the extent necessary to provide victim services or benefits under chapter 12.1-41, the judge and staff of the juvenile court may disclose information to refer a child, who may be a victim of human trafficking, to a program for runaway and homeless children located in the state and approved by the juvenile court of jurisdiction. Information disclosed under this subsection must remain confidential.9. An individual with access or authorization to inspect juvenile court files and records under this section may not share the information contained in the files and records with any other person not authorized by law. An individual who violates this subsection is guilty of a class B misdemeanor.Amended by S.L. 2023 , ch. 294( HB 1137 ), § 11, eff. 8/1/2023.Amended by S.L. 2023 , ch. 65( HB 1038 ), § 12, eff. 8/1/2023.Amended by S.L. 2021SP1 , ch. 550( SB 2345 ), § 3, eff. 12/1/2021.Added by S.L. 2021 , ch. 245( HB 1035 ), § 22, eff. 8/1/2021.