Page 127

(1) a parent or legal guardian of a minor subject to a proceeding under this chapter may disclose confidential or privileged information about the minor, including information that has been lawfully obtained from agency or court files, to the governor, the lieutenant governor, a legislator, the ombudsman appointed under AS 24.55, the attorney general, and the commissioners of family and community services, administration, or public safety, or an employee of these persons, for review or use in their official capacities; (2) the department may disclose confidential or privileged information about the minor and make available for inspection documents about the minor to the state officials or employees identified in (1) of this subsection for review or use in their official capacities; and (3) a person to whom disclosure is made under (1) or (2) of this subsection may not disclose confidential or privileged information about the minor to a person not authorized to receive it. (b) The disclosure right under (a)(1) of this section is in addition to, and not in derogation of, the rights of a parent or legal guardian of a minor. (c) A person who violates a provision of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction is punishable for the violation in the manner authorized under AS 12.55 for a class B misdemeanor. Article 3. Youth Courts. Sec. 47.12.400. Youth courts. (a) The department may use youth courts to hear, determine, and dispose of cases involving a minor whose alleged act that brings the minor within the jurisdiction of AS 47.12.010 — 47.12.260 constitutes a violation of a state law that is a misdemeanor or a violation or constitutes a violation of a municipal ordinance that prescribes a penalty not exceeding the penalties for a class A misdemeanor under state law. (b) Unless otherwise directed by the commissioner, the jurisdiction of a youth court is coextensive with the boundaries of the municipality in which the youth court is located. Only one youth court may be established within the boundaries of a municipality. Nothing in this subsection prohibits two or more municipalities from operating a single youth court for the municipalities by agreement between them. (c) A nonprofit corporation may obtain recognition from the commissioner to serve as a youth court. The corporation may exercise only the powers that are delegated to a youth court by the commissioner, and shall exercise those powers as authorized by the corporation's articles of incorporation and bylaws. The bylaws of the corporation must set out standards and procedures by which the corporation, in its capacity as a youth court, (1) establishes a system by which the minor may be held accountable for the conduct that brings the minor within the jurisdiction of the youth court by being tried, represented, and adjudicated by the minor's peers; (2) guarantees the constitutional rights of the minor that are guaranteed by the state and federal constitutions; (3) may secure jurisdiction over a minor; the youth court may secure jurisdiction over the minor only with the consent of the minor and the agreement of the minor's legal custodian; (4) sets out the process for disposing of matters referred to it for resolution;