Kentucky

From the Herald Leader:

Youth advocates concerned bill would shut off juvenile records

Critics of a bill pending before the General Assembly say it could cut off access to valuable information about possible cases of abuse in juvenile detention centers in Kentucky.

A bill sponsored by state Rep. Robin Webb would make it tougher for the public or attorneys to gain access to a variety of records related to juvenile facilities, including claims of abuse and security information. Among the information affected by the proposal are security videos, transportation routes, schedules and some general security information.

Webb, D-Grayson, said the measure is consistent with Kentucky laws keeping most juvenile proceedings secret. The bill wouldn't be a drastic change from what the state currently does and wouldn't shut down all access to records at juvenile facilities, Webb said.

"It sounds fairly ominous at first," Webb said. "I think there are sufficient safeguards in this."

But the bill has caught the attention of the Department of Public Advocacy, Kentucky Youth Advocates, a nonprofit watchdog, and the Kentucky Press Association.