75-52,162. Confidential data exchange for juvenile justice system. (a) (1) The department of corrections and the Kansas juvenile justice oversight committee shall explore methods of exchanging confidential data between all parts of the juvenile justice system. Such data exchange shall be limited based on the needs of the user accessing the data. Such method of exchanging data shall take into consideration sharing data that is necessary for continuity of treatment and correctional programs, including, but not limited to, health care requirements, mental health care needs and history, substance abuse treatment and history, recommendations for emergency placement options and any other information to assist in providing proper care to the juvenile. The department of corrections is authorized to use grant funds, allocated state funds or any other accessible funding necessary to create such data exchange system. All state and local programs involved in the care of juveniles involved in the juvenile justice system or the child in need of care system shall cooperate in the development and utilization of such system.

(2) (A) On or before July 1, 2025, the department of corrections shall develop a system to facilitate the exchanging of confidential data described in paragraph (1). The department may contract with another entity to provide an electronic record system that is not maintained by the department. Such system shall include a verification system that is operated by the department for the purpose of verifying the authenticity and validity of electronic records. The electronic records maintained in such system shall have the same legal effect as paper records.

(B) The department shall report to the joint committee on corrections and juvenile justice oversight, the house of representatives standing committee on corrections and juvenile justice, the house of representatives standing committee on appropriations, the senate standing committee on judiciary and the senate standing committee on ways and means on the progress of development on or before the first day of the 2024 regular session of the legislature.

(b) The department of corrections shall establish and maintain a statewide searchable database that contains information regarding juveniles who participate in an immediate intervention program. County and district attorneys, judges, community supervision officers and juvenile intake and assessment workers shall have access to the database and shall submit necessary data to such database. The department of corrections shall, in consultation with the office of judicial administration, adopt rules and regulations to carry out the provisions of this subsection.

History: L. 2016, ch. 46, § 15; L. 2017, ch. 90, § 14; L. 2023, ch. 96, § 13; July 1.