Effective: September 19, 2014
Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 143 - 130th General Assembly
(A) Except as permitted by this section, or when required by federal law, no person or government entity shall solicit, release, disclose, receive, use, or knowingly permit or participate in the use of any information regarding an individual receiving assistance pursuant to a community services division program under sections 122.66 to 122.702 of the Revised Code for any purpose not directly related to the administration of a division assistance program.
(B) To the extent permitted by federal law, the division, and any entity that receives division funds to administer a division program to assist individuals, shall release information regarding an individual assistance recipient to the following:
(1) A government entity responsible for administering the assistance program for purposes directly related to the administration of the program;
(2) A law enforcement agency for the purpose of any investigation, prosecution, or criminal or civil proceeding relating to the administration of the assistance program;
(3) A government entity responsible for administering a children's protective services program, for the purpose of protecting children;
(4) Any appropriate person in compliance with a search warrant, subpoena, or other court order.
(C) To the extent permitted by federal law and section 1347.08 of the Revised Code, the division, and any entity administering a division program, shall provide access to information regarding an individual assistance recipient to all of the following:
(1) The individual assistance recipient;
(2) The authorized representative of the individual assistance recipient;
(3) The legal guardian of the individual assistance recipient;
(4) The attorney of the individual assistance recipient.
(D) To the extent permitted by federal law, the division, and any entity administering a division program, may do either of the following:
(1) Release information about an individual assistance recipient if the recipient gives voluntary, written authorization;
(2) Release information regarding an individual assistance recipient to a state, federal, or federally assisted program that provides cash or in-kind assistance or services directly to individuals based on need.
(E) The community services division, or an entity administering a division program, shall provide, at no cost, a copy of each written authorization to the individual who signed it.
(F) The development services agency may adopt rules defining who may serve as an individual assistance recipient's authorized representative for purposes of division (C)(2) of this section.