§44-1-39. Restrictions on release or use of records.

(a) It shall be unlawful, except for purposes directly connected with the administration of this chapter, or as herein provided, and in accordance with regulations of the department of youth services, for any person or persons to solicit, disclose, receive or make use of, or authorize, knowingly permit, participate in or acquiesce in the use of any information concerning any youth for whom the department provides social services or care in accordance with the provisions of this chapter and derived from the records, papers, files or communications of the department, or of any agency or facility utilized by the department in providing services to any youth or acquired in the course of the performance of official duties.

(b) Nothing contained in this section shall preclude the disclosure of information secured in the performance of functions under this chapter upon order of the court which vested legal custody of the youth in the department, in any one of the following circumstances:

(1) In subsequent proceedings for delinquency involving the same youth;

(2) To other youth care agencies which subsequently provide services to the said youth;

(3) In any issue of custody before a court in which the court finds that such disclosure is necessary to protect the general welfare of the youth; or

(4) For research purposes where anonymity is preserved.

(Acts 1973, No. 816, p. 1261, §32.)