(a)      In this section, "confidential record" means any record, report, statement, note, or other information that:

            (1)      Is assembled or obtained for research or study by the Department or the Secretary; and

            (2)      Names or otherwise identifies any person.

      (b)      The Department shall have a unit for research and development. The unit shall:

            (1)      Compile accurate statistics and reliable information on all aspects of the juvenile program of this State;

            (2)      Monitor current developments in the field of juvenile justice;

            (3)      Assess existing programs and activities;

            (4)      Help develop new or improved means to prevent juvenile offenses and control and treat juvenile offenders;

            (5)      If necessary, initiate studies to help the Secretary in general planning and program development for the Department; and

            (6)      For these and related purposes, use research and information available from all sources.

      (c)      Each confidential record that was assembled by the Juvenile Services Agency shall be transferred to the custody of the Department.

      (d)      Each confidential record shall remain in the custody and control of the Department if:

            (1)      The Department assembled or obtained the confidential record; or

            (2)      The confidential record was transferred to the Department from the Juvenile Services Agency.

      (e)      The confidential record may be used only for the research and study for which it was assembled or obtained.

      (f)      A person may not disclose any confidential record to any person who is not engaged in the research or study project.

      (g)      This section does not apply to or restrict the use or publication of any statistics, information, or other material that summarizes or refers to confidential records in the aggregate, without disclosing the identity of any person who is the subject of the confidential record.