Part III. Responding to Requests for Juvenile Record Information
6VAC35-160-160. Existence of records shall not be confirmed or denied.
No participating agency or individual shall confirm or deny the existence or nonexistence of juvenile record information to persons or agencies that would not be eligible to receive the information pursuant to § 16.1-300 of the Code of Virginia.
Statutory Authority
§§ 16.1-223 and 66-10 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 20, Issue 23, eff. August 25, 2004.
6VAC35-160-170. Information to be disseminated only in accordance with applicable statutes and regulations.
A. In accordance with § 16.1-223 of the Code of Virginia, data stored in the VJJIS shall be confidential. Information from such data that identifies an individual juvenile may be released only in accordance with § 16.1-300 of the Code of Virginia, applicable federal law, and this chapter.
B. Unauthorized dissemination of juvenile record information will subject the disseminator to the administrative sanctions described in 6VAC35-160-380. Unlawful dissemination also may be prosecuted as a Class 3 misdemeanor under § 16.1-309 of the Code of Virginia or as a Class 2 misdemeanor under § 16.1-225 of the Code of Virginia.
C. Additional disclosure limitations are provided in the federal substance abuse law (42 USC § 290dd2(f)).
Statutory Authority
§§ 16.1-223 and 66-10 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 20, Issue 23, eff. August 25, 2004; amended, Virginia Register Volume 33, Issue 26, eff. September 20, 2017.
6VAC35-160-180. Fees.
Participating agencies may charge a reasonable fee for search and copying time expended when an individual or a nonparticipating agency requests juvenile record information. The participating agency shall inform the requester of the fees to be charged and shall obtain written agreement from the requester to pay such costs prior to initiating the search for requested information. Any release shall be in accordance with applicable statutes and regulations.
Statutory Authority
§§ 16.1-223 and 66-10 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 20, Issue 23, eff. August 25, 2004; amended, Virginia Register Volume 33, Issue 26, eff. September 20, 2017.
6VAC35-160-190. Requesting juvenile record information.
Individuals or nonparticipating agencies requesting juvenile record information must submit a written request for each record or part thereof to which they request access. This may be done in person, by mail, or by electronic means.
Statutory Authority
§§ 16.1-223 and 66-10 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 20, Issue 23, eff. August 25, 2004.
6VAC35-160-200. Verifying requestor's identity.
A person requesting juvenile record information shall be required to present proper evidence of his own identity, the identity of the individual whose juvenile record information is requested, and authorization from the individual, the individual's attorney, or, if the individual is a juvenile, the individual's parent, guardian or other person standing in loco parentis.
Statutory Authority
§§ 16.1-223 and 66-10 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 20, Issue 23, eff. August 25, 2004.
6VAC35-160-210. Determining requestor's eligibility to receive the information.
A. Upon receipt of a request for juvenile record information, an appropriately designated person shall determine whether the requesting agency or individual is eligible to receive juvenile record information as provided in § 16.1-300 of the Code of Virginia, federal law, and this chapter.
B. The determination as to whether a person, agency or institution has a legitimate interest in a juvenile's case shall be based on the criteria specified in subdivision A 7 of § 16.1-300 of the Code of Virginia.
C. When there is a request to disseminate health records or substance abuse treatment records, the person responding to the request shall determine whether the requested information is protected by the federal law on substance abuse treatment records (42 USC § 290dd-2 and 42 CFR Part 2) and may consult with designated department personnel in making this determination. Health records and substance abuse treatment records shall be disseminated only in strict compliance with the applicable federal statutory requirements, the Code of Virginia, and this chapter.
Statutory Authority
§§ 16.1-223 and 66-10 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 20, Issue 23, eff. August 25, 2004; amended, Virginia Register Volume 33, Issue 26, eff. September 20, 2017.
6VAC35-160-220. Responding to requests.
A. Once it is determined that a requestor is entitled to juvenile record information, a designated individual shall inform the requestor of the procedures for reviewing the juvenile record information, including the general restrictions on the use of the data, when the record will be available, and any costs that may be involved.
B. When the request for juvenile record information is made by an individual's parent, guardian, legal custodian or other person standing in loco parentis, the request shall be referred to designated personnel of the department. (See 6VAC35-160-230)
C. All records containing sensitive data (e.g., name, date of birth, social security number, or address) shall be encrypted prior to electronic dissemination. Except as provided in subsection B of this section, requested records shall be provided as soon as practicable, but in any case within 10 business days unless compliance with other applicable regulations requires a longer response time.
D. If the request for information is made to a participating agency and the participating agency does not have access to the particular information requested, the requestor shall be notified and shall be told how to request the information from the appropriate source, if known.
E. Personnel of the participating agency shall provide reasonable assistance to the individual or his attorney to help understand the record.
F. The person releasing the record shall also inform the individual of his right to challenge the record as provided in 6VAC35-160-280.
G. If no record can be found, a statement shall be furnished to this effect.
Statutory Authority
§§ 16.1-223 and 66-10 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 20, Issue 23, eff. August 25, 2004; amended, Virginia Register Volume 33, Issue 26, eff. September 20, 2017.
6VAC35-160-230. Certain information may be withheld from release.
A. Section 16.1-300 B of the Code of Virginia provides that any portion of a juvenile's record may be withheld from inspection by a child's parent, guardian, legal custodian or other person standing in loco parentis when the staff of the department determines, in its discretion, that disclosure of such information would be detrimental to the child, provided that the juvenile and domestic relations district court of the jurisdiction in which the juvenile currently resides shall concur in such determination.
B. If the department withholds from inspection any portion of such record or report pursuant to the preceding provisions, the department shall (i) inform the individual making the request of the action taken to withhold any information and the reasons for such action; (ii) provide such individual with as much information about the child's progress as is deemed appropriate under the circumstances; and (iii) notify the individual in writing at the time of the request of his right to request judicial review of the department's decision. The circuit court of the jurisdiction where the child currently resides shall have jurisdiction over petitions filed by a parent, guardian, legal custodian or other person standing in loco parentis for review of the department's decision to withhold reports or records as provided herein.
C. Health record information shall not be disseminated to persons or entities authorized to have access to juvenile record information by § 16.1-300 of the Code of Virginia when such persons or entities are not authorized to receive health information by the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996.
Statutory Authority
§§ 16.1-223 and 66-10 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 20, Issue 23, eff. August 25, 2004.
6VAC35-160-240. Notice to accompany disseminated juvenile record information.
The following printed message shall accompany all juvenile record information disseminated outside the Virginia Juvenile Justice Information System: "UNAUTHORIZED DISSEMINATION WILL SUBJECT THE DISSEMINATOR TO CRIMINAL AND CIVIL PENALTIES."
Statutory Authority
§§ 16.1-223 and 66-10 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 20, Issue 23, eff. August 25, 2004.
6VAC35-160-250. Maintaining a dissemination log.
Each participating agency shall maintain a record, either automated or manual, of any dissemination made pursuant to 6VAC35-160-220 for a period of at least six years from the date of the dissemination.
The dissemination log must list all requests for juvenile record information and shall include the following information on each dissemination:
1. The date of inquiry;
2. The name and address of the individual or agency making the request;
3. If an agency request, the name and position of the individual making the request;
4. Whether the request was referred to the designated department personnel (see 6VAC35-160-220 B);
5. The name of the person responding to the request; and
6. A brief indication of what information was requested.
Statutory Authority
§§ 16.1-223 and 66-10 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 20, Issue 23, eff. August 25, 2004.
6VAC35-160-260. Reporting unauthorized disseminations.
A. Participating agencies shall notify the department when they observe any violations of the dissemination regulations contained in this part. The department shall investigate and respond to the violation as provided in law and this chapter.
B. A participating agency that knowingly fails to report a violation may be subject to an immediate audit of its entire dissemination log and procedures to ensure that disseminations are being appropriately managed.
Statutory Authority
§§ 16.1-223 and 66-10 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 20, Issue 23, eff. August 25, 2004; amended, Virginia Register Volume 33, Issue 26, eff. September 20, 2017.
6VAC35-160-270. Interstate dissemination.
Interstate dissemination of juvenile record information shall be subject to this regulation. Dissemination to an agency outside of the Commonwealth shall be carried out in compliance with Virginia law and this chapter, as if the agency were within the jurisdiction of the Commonwealth.
Statutory Authority
§§ 16.1-223 and 66-10 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 20, Issue 23, eff. August 25, 2004.