CHAPTER 433

An Act to amend and reenact § 68-246 of the Code of Virginia, relating
to confidential records of child welfare agencies. CH 504]

Approved March 29, 1958

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

4 " That § 68-246 of the Code of Virginia be amended and reenacted as
ollows:

§ 68-246. (a) The records of all child welfare agencies regarding
persons received or placed out by them, and the facts learned by them
concerning such persons and their parents or relatives, shall be confiden-
tial information, provided that the Commissioner, the State Board and
their agents shall have access to such information, that it shall be dis-
closed upon the proper order of any court, and that it may be disclosed to
any person having a legitimate interest in the placement of any such
person. It shall be unlawful for any officer, agent or employee of any child
welfare agency, for the Commissioner, the State Board or their agents or
employees, and for any person who has held any such position, and for
any other person to whom any such information is disclosed as herein-
above provided, to disclose, directly or indirectly, any such confidential
information, except as herein provided. Every violation of this section
shall constitute a misdemeanor and be punishable as such.

(b) Any person who has attained his majority, and who has not been
legally adopted in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 14 of this
title, and who believes that he has been placed out by a child placing agen-
cy, shall have the right to demand and receive from the Commissioner,
the State Board, or any such agency, such information as any of them
may have concerning his own parents or relatives.