(a) The department may conduct or participate in studies relating to corrections methods and systems and to treatment and therapy programs at the governor’s request or on the department’s own initiative.
(b) The department shall continuously study the problem of juvenile delinquency in this state and the effectiveness of services provided or regulated by the department under Subtitle B or C and shall report the department’s findings to the governor and the legislature before each regular legislative session.

(c) The department shall keep records relating to juveniles within the juvenile justice system that participate in research programs or studies.
(d) The records must show, for each calendar quarter and for each calendar year:
(1) the number of juveniles participating in research programs or studies for the appropriate reporting period;
(2) the type of research program or study in which each juvenile is participating;
(3) the name of the principal investigator conducting the research program or study; and
(4) the entity sponsoring the research program or study.
(e) The department shall submit a report that contains the information in the records kept under Subsection (d) on or before the 15th day after the last day of the appropriate reporting period to the:
(1) governor;
(2) lieutenant governor;
(3) speaker of the house of representatives; and
(4) members of the senate and house of representatives.
(f) A report submitted under this section is public information under Chapter 552, Government Code.