All trade secret information, written, verbal or observed, obtained pursuant to this chapter by the Department or any other state agency will be held as confidential unless such information is already a matter of public record or disclosure is required by law. Nothing in this section shall be construed as limiting the disclosure of information by the Department to any officer, employee or authorized representative of the state or federal government concerned with effecting this chapter. Prior to disclosure of trade secret information to an authorized representative who is not an officer or employee of the state or federal government, the person providing the trade secret information may require the representative to sign an agreement prohibiting disclosure of such information to anyone not authorized by this chapter or the terms of the agreement. Such agreement shall not preclude disclosure by the representative to any state or federal government officer or employee concerned with effecting this chapter. Any person who, by virtue of obtaining access to confidential trade secret information and knowing that disclosure is prohibited, knowingly and wilfully discloses the information to any person not entitled to receive it shall be in violation of this chapter and subject to disciplinary actions provided by the Merit Rules, including dismissal.