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Oregon

 

Code Subject Matter
Code § 336.187 When school authorized to disclose information about student; immunity of recipient
Code § 409.225 Confidentiality of child welfare records, files, papers and communications; when disclosure required
Code § 409.230 Disclosure of information in department reports and other materials; immunities
Code § 418.941 Refugee Child Welfare Advisory Committee; duties; access to juvenile records
Code § 419A.015 Reports to school districts concerning youth offenders on probation
Code § 419A.250 Juvenile Code: Authority; segregation of records; access; when records may be kept with those of adults; destruction of records; missing children
Code § 419A.255 Juvenile Code: Maintenance; disclosure; providing transcript; exceptions to confidentiality
Code § 419A.257 Juvenile Code: Disclosure to district attorney and other state and county entities
Code § 326.575 Records when student transfers or is placed elsewhere; notice to parents; amendments to records; rules

TITLE 30.  EDUCATION AND CULTURE
CHAPTER 336.  CONDUCT OF SCHOOLS GENERALLY
DISCLOSURE OF PERSONAL INFORMATION ABOUT STUDENT

ORS § 336.187 (2007)

336.187. When school authorized to disclose information about student; immunity of recipient.

   (1) A public school or school district shall disclose personally identifiable information or other information allowed to be disclosed by the federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act from an education record of a student to:

(a) Law enforcement, child protective services and health care professionals in connection with a health or safety emergency if knowledge of the information is necessary to protect the health and safety of the student or other individuals; and

(b) Courts and state and local juvenile justice agencies including, but not limited to, law enforcement agencies, juvenile departments and child protective service agencies. Disclosure under this paragraph must relate to the court's or juvenile justice agency's ability to serve the needs of a student prior to the student's adjudication under ORS chapter 419C. A person to whom personally identifiable information is disclosed under this paragraph shall certify, in writing, that the person will not disclose the information to a third party other than another court or juvenile justice agency or a person or organization providing direct services to the student on behalf of a juvenile justice agency.

(2) As used in this section, a "health or safety emergency" includes, but is not limited to, law enforcement efforts to locate a child who may be a victim of kidnap, abduction or custodial interference and law enforcement or child protective services efforts to respond to a report of child abuse or neglect pursuant to ORS 419B.005 to 419B.050.

(3) A person who receives information under this section is not liable civilly or criminally for failing to disclose the information.

TITLE 34.  HUMAN SERVICES; JUVENILE CODE; CORRECTIONS
CHAPTER 409.  DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES
DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES
CHILD WELFARE SERVICES

ORS § 409.225 (2007)

409.225. Confidentiality of child welfare records, files, papers and communications; when disclosure required.

   (1) In the interest of family privacy and for the protection of children, families and other recipients of services, the Department of Human Services shall not disclose or use the contents of any child welfare records, files, papers or communications that contain any information about an individual child, family or other recipient of services for purposes other than those directly connected with the administration of child welfare laws or unless required or authorized by ORS 419A.255 or 419B.035. The records, files, papers and communications are confidential and are not available for public inspection. General information, policy statements, statistical reports or similar compilations of data are not confidential unless such information is identified with an individual child, family or other recipient of services or protected by other provision of law.

(2) Notwithstanding subsection (1) of this section, unless exempt from disclosure under ORS chapter 192, the department shall disclose child welfare records:

(a) About a recipient of services, to the recipient if the recipient is 18 years of age or older or is legally emancipated, unless prohibited by court order;(b) Regarding a specific individual if the individual gives written authorization to release confidential information;

(c) Concerning a child receiving services on a voluntary basis, to the child's parent or legal guardian;

(d) To the juvenile court in proceedings regarding the child; and

(e) Concerning a child who is or has been in the custody of the department, to the child's parent or legal guardian except:

(A) When the child objects; or

(B) If disclosure would be contrary to the best interests of any child or could be harmful to the person caring for the child.

(3) Notwithstanding subsection (1) of this section, unless exempt from disclosure under ORS chapter 192, the department shall disclose child welfare records, if in the best interests of the child, to:

(a) Treatment providers, foster parents, adoptive parents, school officials or other persons providing services to the child or family to the extent that such disclosure is necessary to provide services to the child or family; or

(b) A person designated as a member of a sensitive review committee convened by the Director of Human Services when the purpose of the committee is to determine whether the department acted appropriately and to make recommendations to the department regarding policy and practice.

(4) Any record disclosed under subsection (1), (2) or (3) of this section shall be kept confidential by the person or entity to whom the record is disclosed and shall be used only for the purpose for which disclosure was made.

(5) Unless exempt from disclosure under ORS chapter 192, when an adult who is the subject of information made confidential by subsection (1) of this section publicly reveals or causes to be revealed any significant part of the confidential matter or information, the protections afforded by subsection (1) of this section are presumed voluntarily waived and confidential information about the person making or causing the public disclosure, not already disclosed but related to the information made public, may be disclosed if disclosure is in the best interests of the child or necessary to the administration of the child welfare laws.

(6) Notwithstanding subsection (1) of this section, unless exempt from disclosure under ORS chapter 192, the department shall disclose information related to the department's activities and responsibilities in a case where child abuse or neglect has resulted in a child fatality or near fatality or where an adult has been charged with a crime related to child abuse or neglect.

(7) Notwithstanding subsections (2), (3), (5) and (6) of this section, ORS 192.501 (3) shall apply to investigatory information compiled for criminal law purposes that may be in the possession of the department.

(8) As used in this section, "adult" means a person who is 18 years of age or older.

TITLE 34.  HUMAN SERVICES; JUVENILE CODE; CORRECTIONS
CHAPTER 409.  DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES
DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES
CHILD WELFARE SERVICES

ORS § 409.230 (2007)

409.230. Disclosure of information in department reports and other materials; immunities.

   (1) Information contained in Department of Human Services reports and other materials relating to a child's history and prognosis that, in the professional judgment of the person providing the information for the reports or other materials, indicates a clear and immediate danger to another person or to society shall be disclosed to the appropriate authority and the person or entity who is in danger from the child.

(2) An agency or a person who discloses information under subsection (1) of this section shall have immunity from any liability, civil or criminal, that might otherwise be incurred or imposed for making the disclosure. The disclosure of information under this section does not make the information admissible in any court or administrative proceeding if it is not otherwise admissible.

TITLE 34.  HUMAN SERVICES; JUVENILE CODE; CORRECTIONS
CHAPTER 418.  CHILD WELFARE SERVICES
REFUGEE CHILDREN

ORS § 418.941 (2007)

418.941. Refugee Child Welfare Advisory Committee; duties; access to juvenile records.

   (1) In cooperation with refugee community resources, the Department of Human Services shall establish a Refugee Child Welfare Advisory Committee. The department shall assist the committee in its required tasks.

(2) The committee shall:

(a) Assist in the review of the department's implementation of ORS 418.925 to 418.945.

(b) Assist in the identification, development and certification of foster family homes that meet the requirements of ORS 418.925 to 418.945 for the placement of refugee children. Special emphasis shall be placed on locating refugee homes.

(c) Assist the department in developing training programs to insure the availability of culturally sensitive social work.

(3) Notwithstanding the provisions of ORS 40.225 to 40.275, 412.074, 419A.255, 419B.035 and 419B.045, the committee shall have access to any records of the juvenile court which are pertinent to the care of an individual refugee child.

TITLE 34.  HUMAN SERVICES; JUVENILE CODE; CORRECTIONS
CHAPTER 419A.  JUVENILE CODE: GENERAL PROVISIONS AND DEFINITIONS
COUNTY JUVENILE DEPARTMENT

ORS § 419A.015 (2007)

419A.015. Reports to school districts concerning youth offenders on probation.

   (1)(a) Once each month, a county juvenile department shall provide to each school district in the county a list of all youth offenders enrolled in a school in the school district who are on probation by order of the juvenile court in the county. The department shall include in the list the name and business telephone number of the juvenile counselor assigned to each case.

(b) When a youth offender who is on probation transfers from one school district to a different school district, the juvenile counselor assigned to the case shall notify the superintendent of the school district to which the youth offender has transferred of the youth offender's probation status. The juvenile counselor shall make the notification no later than 72 hours after the juvenile counselor knows of the transfer.

(2) Upon request by the school district, the juvenile department shall provide additional information, including the offense that brought the youth offender within the jurisdiction of the juvenile court and such other information that is subject to disclosure under ORS 419A.255 (5).

(3) In addition to the general notification required by subsection (1) of this section, the juvenile department:

(a) Shall notify the school district of the specific offense if the act bringing the youth offender within the jurisdiction of the juvenile court involved a firearm or delivery of a controlled substance.

(b) May notify the school district of the specific offense if the act bringing the youth offender within the jurisdiction of the juvenile court involved a violation of ORS 163.355 to 163.445 or 163.465 or any other offense if the juvenile department believes the youth offender represents a risk to other students or school staff.(4) When a school district receives notice under this section, the school district may disclose the information only to those school employees the district determines need the information in order to safeguard the safety and security of the school, students and staff. A person to whom personally identifiable information is disclosed under this subsection may not disclose the information to another person except to carry out the provisions of this subsection.

(5) Except as otherwise provided in ORS 192.490, a juvenile department, school district or anyone employed or acting on behalf of a juvenile department or school district who sends or receives records under this section is not liable civilly or criminally for failing to disclose the information under this section.

TITLE 34.  HUMAN SERVICES; JUVENILE CODE; CORRECTIONS
CHAPTER 419A.  JUVENILE CODE: GENERAL PROVISIONS AND DEFINITIONS
FINGERPRINTING AND PHOTOGRAPHING

ORS § 419A.250 (2007)

419A.250. Authority; segregation of records; access; when records may be kept with those of adults; destruction of records; missing children.

   (1) A child, ward, youth or youth offender may be photographed or fingerprinted by a law enforcement agency:

(a) Pursuant to a search warrant;

(b) According to laws concerning adults if the youth has been transferred to criminal court for prosecution;

(c) Upon consent of both the child or youth and the child or youth's parent after advice that they are not required to give such consent;

(d) Upon request or consent of the child's parent alone if the child is less than 10 years of age, and if the law enforcement agency delivers the original photographs or fingerprints to the parent and does not make or retain any copies thereof; or

(e) By order of the juvenile court.

(2) When a youth is taken into custody under ORS 419C.080, the law enforcement agency taking the youth into custody shall photograph and fingerprint the youth. When a youth is found within the jurisdiction of the juvenile court for the commission of an act that would constitute a crime if committed by an adult, the court shall ensure that the youth offender's fingerprints have been taken. The law enforcement agency attending upon the court is the agency responsible for obtaining the fingerprints. The law enforcement agency attending upon the court may, by agreement, arrange for another law enforcement agency to obtain the fingerprints on the attending agency's behalf.

(3) Fingerprint and photograph files or records of children, wards, youths and youth offenders must be kept separate from those of adults, and fingerprints and photographs known to be those of a child may be maintained on a local basis only and may not be sent to a central state or federal depository.

(4) Fingerprint and photograph files or records of a child, ward, youth or youth offender are open to inspection only by, or the contents disclosed only to, the following:

(a) Public agencies for use in investigation or prosecution of crimes and of conduct by a child, ward, youth or youth offender that if committed by an adult would be an offense, provided that a law enforcement agency may provide information to another agency only when the information is pertinent to a specific investigation by that agency;

(b) The juvenile department and the juvenile court having the child, ward, youth or youth offender before it in any proceeding;

(c) Caseworkers and counselors taking action or otherwise responsible for planning and care of the child, ward, youth or youth offender;

(d) The parties to the proceeding and their counsel; and

(e) The victim or a witness of an act or behavior described under ORS 419C.005 (1) or the victim's parent, guardian, personal representative or subrogee, when necessary to identify the youth or youth offender committing the act or behavior and identifying the apparent extent of the youth or youth offender's involvement in the act or behavior.

(5)(a) Fingerprint and photograph files or records of youths and youth offenders must be sent to a central state depository in the same manner as fingerprint and photograph files or records of adults. The fingerprint and photograph files or records of a youth or youth offender sent to a central depository under this subsection are open to inspection in the same manner and under the same circumstances as fingerprint and photograph files or records of adults.

(b) A party filing a petition alleging that a youth is within the jurisdiction of the court under ORS 419C.005 shall notify the central state depository of the following:

(A) The filing of a petition alleging that a youth committed an act that if committed by an adult would constitute a crime; or

(B) The dismissal of a petition alleging that a youth committed an act that if committed by an adult would constitute a crime.

(c) The juvenile court shall notify the central state depository of the disposition of a case in which jurisdiction is based on ORS 419C.005.

(d) The Department of State Police shall delete the fingerprint and photograph files or records of a youth or youth offender from the depository and destroy the files or records relating to the conduct that caused the files or records to be sent to the depository:

(A) One year after receiving the files, if the central state depository has not received notice under paragraph (b) of this subsection;

(B) No later than one year following receipt of a notice of dismissal of a petition under paragraph (b)(B) of this subsection; or

(C) In all other circumstances, no later than five years and 30 days after fingerprint and photograph files or records are sent to the central state depository.

(6) Fingerprint and photograph files and records of a child, ward, youth or youth offender must be expunged when the juvenile court orders expunction of a child, ward, youth or youth offender's record pursuant to ORS 419A.260 and 419A.262.

(7) The parent or guardian of a missing child may submit a fingerprint card and photograph of the child to a law enforcement agency at the time a missing person report is made. The law enforcement agency may submit the fingerprint file to the Department of State Police bureau of criminal identification. The information must be entered into the Law Enforcement Data System and the Western Identification Network Automated Fingerprint Identification System.

(8) When fingerprint files or records are submitted under subsection (7) of this section, the Department of State Police shall enter in a special index in the computerized criminal history files the name of the child and the name of the county or agency that submitted the fingerprint file or record.

(9) Fingerprints and other information entered in any data system pursuant to subsection (7) of this section must be deleted when the child is located.

TITLE 34.  HUMAN SERVICES; JUVENILE CODE; CORRECTIONS
CHAPTER 419A.  JUVENILE CODE: GENERAL PROVISIONS AND DEFINITIONS
RECORDS

ORS § 419A.255 (2007)

419A.255. Maintenance; disclosure; providing transcript; exceptions to confidentiality.

   (1) The clerk of the court shall keep a record of each case, including therein the summons and other process, the petition and all other papers in the nature of pleadings, motions, orders of the court and other papers filed with the court, but excluding reports and other material relating to the child, ward, youth or youth offender's history and prognosis. The record of the case shall be withheld from public inspection but is open to inspection by the child, ward, youth, youth offender, parent, guardian, court appointed special advocate, surrogate or a person allowed to intervene in a proceeding involving the child, ward, youth or youth offender, and their attorneys. The attorneys are entitled to copies of the record of the case.

(2) Reports and other material relating to the child, ward, youth or youth offender's history and prognosis are privileged and, except at the request of the child, ward, youth or youth offender, may not be disclosed directly or indirectly to anyone other than the judge of the juvenile court, those acting under the judge's direction, service providers in the case and the attorneys of record for the child, ward, youth or youth offender or the child, ward, youth or youth offender's parent, guardian, court appointed special advocate, surrogate or person allowed to intervene in a proceeding involving the child, ward, youth or youth offender. Reports and other material relating to a youth offender's history and prognosis in cases under ORS 419C.005 may be disclosed to the superintendent of the school district in which the youth offender resides. The service providers in the case, school superintendents and attorneys are entitled to examine and obtain copies of any reports or other material relating to the child, ward, youth or youth offender's history and prognosis. Any service provider in the case, school superintendent or attorney who examines or obtains copies of such reports or materials is responsible for preserving their confidentiality. A service provider or school superintendent who obtains copies of such reports or materials shall return the copies to the court upon the conclusion of the service provider's or superintendent's involvement in the case.

(3) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (7) of this section, no information appearing in the record of the case or in reports or other material relating to the child, ward, youth or youth offender's history or prognosis may be disclosed to any person not described in subsection (2) of this section without the consent of the court, except for purposes of evaluating the child, ward, youth or youth offender's eligibility for special education as provided in ORS chapter 343, and no such information may be used in evidence in any proceeding to establish criminal or civil liability against the child, ward, youth or youth offender, whether such proceeding occurs after the child, ward, youth or youth offender has reached 18 years of age or otherwise, except for the following purposes:

(a) In connection with a presentence investigation after guilt has been admitted or established in a criminal court.

(b) In connection with a proceeding in another juvenile court concerning the child, ward, youth or youth offender or an appeal from the juvenile court.(4) If the court finds that the child, ward, youth, youth offender or parent is without financial means to purchase all or a necessary part of the transcript of the evidence or proceedings, the court shall order upon motion the transcript or part thereof to be furnished. The transcript or part thereof furnished under this subsection shall be paid for in the same manner as furnished transcripts are paid for in criminal cases.

(5) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the following are not confidential and not exempt from disclosure:

(a) The name and date of birth of the youth or youth offender;

(b) The basis for the juvenile court's jurisdiction over the youth or youth offender;

(c) The date, time and place of any juvenile court proceeding in which the youth or youth offender is involved;

(d) The act alleged in the petition that if committed by an adult would constitute a crime if jurisdiction is based on ORS 419C.005;

(e) That portion of the juvenile court order providing for the legal disposition of the youth or youth offender when jurisdiction is based on ORS 419C.005;

(f) The names and addresses of the youth or youth offender's parents or guardians; and

(g) The register described in ORS 7.020 when jurisdiction is based on ORS 419C.005.

(6) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, when a youth has been taken into custody under ORS 419C.080, the following information shall be disclosed unless, and only for so long as, there is a clear need to delay disclosure in the course of a specific investigation, including the need to protect the complaining party or the victim:

(a) The youth's name and age and whether the youth is employed or in school;

(b) The youth offense for which the youth was taken into custody;

(c) The name and age of the adult complaining party and the adult victim, unless the disclosure of such information is otherwise prohibited or restricted;

(d) The identity of the investigating and arresting agency; and

(e) The time and place that the youth was taken into custody and whether there was resistance, pursuit or a weapon used in taking the youth into custody.

(7)(a) Information contained in reports and other materials relating to a child, ward, youth or youth offender's history and prognosis that, in the professional judgment of the juvenile counselor, caseworker, school superintendent, teacher or detention worker to whom the information for the reports or other materials has been provided, indicates a clear and immediate danger to another person or to society shall be disclosed to the appropriate authority and the person or entity who is in danger from the child, ward, youth or youth offender.

(b) An agency or a person who discloses information under paragraph (a) of this subsection has immunity from any liability, civil or criminal, that might otherwise be incurred or imposed for making the disclosure.

(c) Nothing in this subsection affects the provisions of ORS 146.750, 146.760, 419B.035, 419B.040 and 419B.045. The disclosure of information under this section does not make the information admissible in any court or administrative proceeding if it is not otherwise admissible.

(8) A county juvenile department is the agency responsible for disclosing youth and youth offender records if the records are subject to disclosure.

(9) A petition filed under ORS 419B.851 alleging that a child who is a foreign national is within the jurisdiction of the court, or a motion requesting an implementation plan other than return of a ward to the ward's parent, is subject to disclosure to the consulate for the child or ward's country as provided under ORS 419B.851 (3).

(10) Nothing in this section prohibits a guardian appointed under ORS 419B.365 or 419B.366 from disclosing or providing copies of letters of guardianship when so required to fulfill the duties of a guardian.

(11) The court shall cooperate in the sharing of information with a court in another state to facilitate an interstate placement of a child or ward.

TITLE 34.  HUMAN SERVICES; JUVENILE CODE; CORRECTIONS
CHAPTER 419A.  JUVENILE CODE: GENERAL PROVISIONS AND DEFINITIONS
RECORDS

ORS § 419A.257 (2007)

419A.257. Disclosure to district attorney and other state and county entities.

   (1) The district attorney or assistant attorney general representing the state in a juvenile court proceeding, the juvenile department, the Department of Human Services and the Oregon Youth Authority may inspect and obtain from the court copies of the records, reports and other materials described in ORS 419A.255 (1) and (2) to the same extent that attorneys for the other parties and the other parties are authorized to inspect and obtain copies of the records, reports and other materials. An agency or person that inspects or obtains records, reports or materials under this subsection is subject to ORS 419A.255 (3).

(2) Nothing in ORS 419A.255 prohibits the district attorney or assistant attorney general representing the state in a juvenile court proceeding, the juvenile department, the Department of Human Services, the Oregon Youth Authority or the other parties in the proceeding or their attorneys from disclosing to each other records, reports and other materials described in ORS 419A.255 (1) and (2) if the disclosure is reasonably necessary to perform official duties related to the involvement of the child, ward, youth or youth offender with the juvenile court or juvenile department. An agency or person to whom records, reports or materials are disclosed under this subsection is subject to ORS 419A.255 (3).

(3) An agency or person that inspects or obtains records, reports or materials under subsection (1) of this section or to whom records, reports or materials are disclosed under subsection (2) of this section may not use or disclose the records, reports or materials except:

(a) As provided in subsections (1) and (2) of this section;

(b) In the juvenile court proceeding for which the records, reports or materials were sought or disclosed;

(c) With the consent of the court as provided in ORS 419A.255 (2) or (3); or

(d) As provided in ORS 419A.253.

TITLE 30.  EDUCATION AND CULTURE
CHAPTER 326.  STATE ADMINISTRATION OF EDUCATION
STUDENT RECORDS

ORS § 326.575 (2007)

326.575. Records when student transfers or is placed elsewhere; notice to parents; amendments to records; rules.

   (1) Within 10 days of a student's seeking initial enrollment in a public or private school or when a student is placed in a state institution, other than an institution of post-secondary education, or a private agency, detention facility or youth care center, the school, institution, agency, facility or center shall notify the public or private school or the institution, agency, facility or center in which the student was formerly enrolled and shall request the student's education records.

(2) Subject to ORS 339.260, any public or private school, state institution, private agency, detention facility or youth care center receiving the request described in subsection (1) of this section shall transfer all student education records relating to the particular student to the requesting school, institution, agency, facility or center no later than 10 days after the receipt of the request. The education records shall include any education records relating to the particular student retained by an education service district.

(3) Notwithstanding subsections (1) and (2) of this section, for students who are in substitute care programs:

(a) A school, institution, agency, facility or center shall notify the school, institution, agency, facility or center in which the student was formerly enrolled and shall request the student's education records within five days of the student seeking initial enrollment; and

(b) Any school, institution, agency, facility or center receiving a request for a student's education records shall transfer all student education records relating to the particular student to the requesting school, institution, agency, facility or center no later than five days after the receipt of the request.

(4) Each educational institution that has custody of the student's education records shall annually notify parents and eligible students of their right to review and propose amendments to the records. The State Board of Education shall specify by rule the procedure for reviewing and proposing amendments to a student's education records. If a parent's or eligible student's proposed amendments to a student's education records are rejected by the educational institution, the parent or eligible student shall receive a hearing on the matter. The State Board of Education shall specify by rule the procedure for the hearing.

(5) As used in this section:

(a) "Detention facility" has the meaning given that term in ORS 419A.004.

(b) "Educational institution" means a public or private school, education service district, state institution, private agency or youth care center.

(c) "Private agency" means an agency with which the Department of Education contracts under ORS 343.961.

(d) "Substitute care program" has the meaning given that term in ORS 339.133.

(e) "Youth care center" means a center as defined in ORS 420.855.


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