The Florida Senate

409.2579  Safeguarding Title IV-D case file information.--

(1)  Information concerning applicants for or recipients of Title IV-D child support services is confidential and exempt from the provisions of s. 119.07(1). The use or disclosure of such information by the IV-D program is limited to purposes directly connected with:

(a)  The administration of the plan or program approved under part A, part B, part D, part E, or part F of Title IV; under Title II, Title X, Title XIV, Title XVI, Title XIX, or Title XX; or under the supplemental security income program established under Title XVI of the Social Security Act;

(b)  Any investigation, prosecution, or criminal or civil proceeding connected with the administration of any such plan or program;

(c)  The administration of any other federal or federally assisted program which provides service or assistance, in cash or in kind, directly to individuals on the basis of need;

(d)  Reporting to an appropriate agency or official, information on known or suspected instances of physical or mental injury, child abuse, sexual abuse or exploitation, or negligent treatment or maltreatment of a child who is the subject of a support enforcement activity under circumstances which indicate that the child's health or welfare is threatened thereby; and

(e)  Mandatory disclosure of identifying and location information as provided in s. 61.13(9) by the IV-D program when providing Title IV-D services.

(2)  The IV-D program may not disclose to any legislative body, whether federal, state, or local, or any committee thereof, any information that identifies by name or address an applicant or recipient of support services.

(3)  As required by federal law, 42 U.S.C. s. 654(26), upon notice that such an order exists, the IV-D program shall not disclose information on the whereabouts of one party or the child to the other party against whom a protective order with respect to the former party or the child has been entered.

(4)  As required by federal law, 42 U.S.C. s. 654(26), the IV-D program shall not disclose information on the whereabouts of one party or the child to another person if the program has reason to believe that the release of information to that person may result in physical or emotional harm to the party or the child.

(5)  The Department of Revenue is authorized to establish, by rule, procedures to implement this section.

(6)  Any person who willfully and knowingly violates any of the provisions of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the first degree punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083

History.--s. 16, ch. 88-176; s. 6, ch. 91-71; s. 256, ch. 96-406; s. 58, ch. 97-170; s. 32, ch. 98-397; s. 41, ch. 2001-158.