A. This section shall be known and may be cited as “Kelley’s Law”.
B. All applications, information and records concerning any applicant or recipient obtained pursuant to law or as authorized by law by the Department of Human Services or any other public or private entity shall be confidential and shall be open to inspection only:
1. To persons duly authorized by the Department of Human Services pursuant to rule promulgated in compliance with Article I of the Administrative Procedures Act or by the United States in connection with the performance of their official duties; or
2. As otherwise authorized by law.
Provided, however, the Department of Human Services shall maintain a process to allow an authorized representative of a client of the Department of Human Services to have access to confidential information when necessary for eligibility determination and the appeals process. For purposes of this section, “authorized representative” shall mean any person designated by a client of the Department of Human Services to review confidential information about the client pertinent to eligibility determination and the appeals process.
C. The Developmental Disabilities Services Division of the Department of Human Services shall require all authorized persons accessing service recipient information within a home record to sign a form certifying that they have been informed and understand the penalties for misuse of confidential and protected information within the home record. The form shall include criminal penalties related to identity theft.
D. It shall be unlawful and a misdemeanor for any public officer or employee, to furnish or permit to be taken off of the records any information therein contained for commercial or political purposes.
E. It shall also be a felony, punishable by imprisonment in the custody of the Department of Corrections for not to exceed two (2) years, for any person, firm or corporation to publish, or to use for commercial or political purposes, any list or names obtained through access to such information or records.
Added by State Question No. 226, Initiative Petition No. 155, § 24, adopted July 7, 1936. Amended by Laws 1939, p. 92, § 16, emerg. eff. May 9, 1939; Laws 1951, p. 159, § 6, emerg. eff. June 1, 1951; Laws 1953, p. 504, § 1, emerg. eff. June 4, 1953; Laws 1967, c. 85, § 1, emerg. eff. April 18, 1967; Laws 1979, c. 30, § 16, emerg. eff. April 6, 1979; Laws 1994, c. 16, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1994; Laws 1995, c. 170, § 2, emerg. eff. May 8, 1995; Laws 1997, c. 133, § 498, eff. July 1, 1999; Laws 1999, 1st Ex. Sess., c. 5, § 363, eff. July 1, 1999; Laws 2010, c. 88, § 1, eff. Nov. 1, 2010.
NOTE: Laws 1998, 1st Ex. Sess., c. 2, § 23 amended the effective date of Laws 1997, c. 133, § 498 from July 1, 1998, to July 1, 1999.