§ 40-5.2-26. Records as to assistance.
(a) All records pertaining to the administration of public assistance pursuant to this chapter and chapter 8 of this title are hereby declared to constitute a confidential matter.
(b) In furtherance thereof:
(1) It shall be unlawful for any person to make use of, or cause to be used, any information contained in records for purposes not directly connected with administration thereof, except with the consent of the individual concerned.
(2) The director of the department shall have the power to establish rules and regulations governing the custody, use, and preservation of the records, papers, files, and communications dealing with the administration of public assistance. The rules and regulations shall have the same force and effect as law.
(3) The records shall be produced in response to subpoena duces tecum properly issued by any federal or state court; provided, however, that the purpose for which the subpoena is sought is directly connected with the administration of public assistance. No subpoena shall be issued by a court asking either for the records, or for persons having custody or access to the records, unless the litigation involved in matters is directly connected with the administration of public assistance.
(4) Any person who by law is entitled to a list of individuals receiving any of the assistance as provided in this chapter shall not publish, or cause to be published, the list except by the express consent of the director of the department, or to make use of thereof for purposes not directly connected with the administration thereof.
(5) Any person violating any of the provisions of this section, or the lawful rules and regulations made hereunder, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be fined not more than two hundred dollars ($200), or shall be imprisoned for not more than six (6) months, or both.
(6) Nothing in this section shall be deemed to prohibit the director of the department, or his or her agents duly authorized for that purpose, from issuing any statistical material data, or publishing, or causing the data to be published whenever he or she shall deem it to be in the public interest.
(7) The director of the department may inquire into the records of any state department or agency in the course of his or her administration of public assistance.
History of Section.P.L. 2008, ch. 100, art. 16, § 1.
Structure Rhode Island General Laws
Chapter 40-5.2 - The Rhode Island Works Program
Section 40-5.2-1. - Short title.
Section 40-5.2-2. - The Rhode Island works program — Statement of purpose.
Section 40-5.2-3. - Legislative intent.
Section 40-5.2-5. - Rhode Island works — Promotion of work.
Section 40-5.2-7. - Work participation rates.
Section 40-5.2-8. - Definitions.
Section 40-5.2-9. - The Rhode Island works program — General eligibility requirements.
Section 40-5.2-10. - Necessary requirements and conditions.
Section 40-5.2-11. - Cash assistance.
Section 40-5.2-12. - Work requirements for receipt of cash assistance.
Section 40-5.2-13. - Income deeming.
Section 40-5.2-14. - Reporting of income and resources by participants.
Section 40-5.2-15. - Reporting absence.
Section 40-5.2-16. - Minimum payment.
Section 40-5.2-17. - Assistance not assignable; exemption from process.
Section 40-5.2-18. - Up-front cash program.
Section 40-5.2-19. - Appropriate child care necessary for work requirement.
Section 40-5.2-20. - Childcare assistance — Families or assistance units eligible.
Section 40-5.2-21. - Eligibility for medical benefits.
Section 40-5.2-22. - Emergency expenses.
Section 40-5.2-23. - Post-employment incentive bonus.
Section 40-5.2-24. - Overpayment and underpayment of benefits.
Section 40-5.2-25. - Hearings.
Section 40-5.2-26. - Records as to assistance.
Section 40-5.2-27. - Department of human services.
Section 40-5.2-28. - Rules and regulations.
Section 40-5.2-29. - Noncustodial parents — Employment obligations.
Section 40-5.2-30. - Fraudulently obtaining assistance.
Section 40-5.2-31. - Authorization to pay assistance.
Section 40-5.2-32. - Cashing of assistance checks.
Section 40-5.2-33. - Child clothing allowance.
Section 40-5.2-34. - Screening for domestic violence — Waiver of program requirements.
Section 40-5.2-35. - Child support pass-through.
Section 40-5.2-36. - Appropriation of funds.
Section 40-5.2-37. - Severability.
Section 40-5.2-38. - Application and effect of this chapter on applicants and recipients.
Section 40-5.2-39. - References to the family independence program.