(a) The Vermont Crime Information Center may provide Vermont criminal history records as defined in section 2056a of this title to bona fide persons conducting research related to the administration of criminal justice, subject to conditions approved by the Commissioner of Public Safety to assure the confidentiality of the information and the privacy of individuals to whom the information relates. Bulk criminal history data requested by descriptors other than the name and date of birth of the subject may only be provided in a format that excludes the subject's name and any unique numbers that may reference the identity of the subject, except that court docket numbers and the State identification number may be provided. Researchers shall sign a user agreement that specifies data security requirements and restrictions on use of identifying information.

(b) No person shall confirm the existence or nonexistence of criminal history record information to any person other than the subject and properly designated employees of an organization who have a documented need to know the contents of the record.

(c) A person who violates the provisions of this section with respect to unauthorized disclosure of confidential criminal history record information obtained from the Center under the authority of this section shall be fined not more than $5,000.00. Each unauthorized disclosure shall constitute a separate civil violation. (Added 1999, No. 151 (Adj. Sess.), § 6; amended 2005, No. 169 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; 2007, No. 165 (Adj. Sess.), § 2; 2011, No. 31, § 5, eff. May 17, 2011; 2013, No. 119 (Adj. Sess.), § 3.)