By: Bowers H.B. No. 1821       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to information regarding the procedures and available   resources for the sealing of juvenile records.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Section 58.262, Family Code, is amended by   amending Subsections (a) and (b) and adding Subsections (a-1),   (b-1), and (e) to read as follows:          (a)  When a child is referred to the juvenile probation   department, an employee of the juvenile probation department shall   give the child and the child's parent, guardian, or custodian:                (1)  a written explanation describing the process of   sealing records under this subchapter and a copy of this   subchapter; and                (2)  a list of local resources that may assist the child   in applying to have the child's records sealed, including attorneys   who, at low or no cost, represent persons in applying for the   sealing of juvenile records.          (a-1)  At the time an employee of the juvenile probation   department gives a written explanation under Subsection (a), the   employee shall additionally provide an oral explanation of the   process of sealing records to the child and the child's parent,   guardian, or custodian and allow any of those persons to ask   questions regarding the process.          (b)  On the final discharge of a child, or on the last   official action in the matter if there is no adjudication, a   probation officer, other official at the juvenile probation   department, or official at the Texas Juvenile Justice Department,   as appropriate, shall give the child and the child's parent,   guardian, or custodian:                (1)  a written explanation regarding the eligibility of   the child's records for sealing under this subchapter and a copy of   this subchapter; and                (2)  a list of local resources that may assist the child   in applying to have the child's records sealed, including attorneys   who, at low or no cost, represent persons in applying for the   sealing of juvenile records.          (b-1)  At the time a probation officer, other official at the   juvenile probation department, or official at the Texas Juvenile   Justice Department gives a written explanation under Subsection   (b), the officer or official shall additionally provide an oral   explanation of the eligibility of the child's records for sealing   to the child and the child's parent, guardian, or custodian and   allow any of those persons to ask questions regarding the child's   eligibility and the process of having records sealed.          (e)  The Texas Juvenile Justice Department shall publish on   the department's Internet website a brochure that describes the   process of sealing records under this subchapter and that lists   resources that may assist a child in applying to seal the child's   records.          SECTION 2.  Subchapter C-1, Chapter 58, Family Code, is   amended by adding Section 58.2625 to read as follows:          Sec. 58.2625.  ONLINE DIRECTORY OF ATTORNEYS FOR SEALING   JUVENILE RECORDS. (a) In this section, "state bar" means the State   Bar of Texas.          (b)  The state bar shall create and maintain a directory of   attorneys in this state who, at low or no cost, represent persons in   applying for the sealing of juvenile records.  The directory must   describe the administrative judicial regions created under Section   74.042, Government Code, and list the attorneys who offer that   representation in those regions.          (c)  The state bar shall make the directory available to the   public on the state bar's Internet website.          SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.