§ 42-12-22. Confidentiality of personal information — Authorized uses.
(a) All personal information contained in the records of the department of human services which is identifiable to an applicant for or recipient of vocational rehabilitation services under this chapter is hereby declared to constitute a confidential matter. Except as expressly provided herein, it shall be unlawful for any person to make use of, or cause to be used, any of such personal information contained in the records of the department of human services for purposes not directly connected with the administration of the vocational rehabilitation programs of the department of human services. The director of the department of human services shall have the power to establish rules and regulations governing the custody, preservation, disclosure, or release of the records, papers, files and communications containing that personal information.
(b) The department shall release or disclose the personal information described in subsection (a):
(1) Upon the written request of the applicant or recipient, or his or her authorized representative; or
(2) If required by federal law or regulations; or
(3) In response to law enforcement investigations and fraud or abuse investigations, except where release or disclosure is expressly prohibited by federal or state law or regulations; or
(4) In response to judicial order.
Provided, however, that when the personal information has been obtained by the department from another department, agency, organization or individual, it shall be released by, or under the conditions established by, the other department, agency organization, or individual. Nothing in this section shall be deemed to prohibit the director of the department of human services, or his or her agents duly authorized for that purpose, from issuing any statistical material or data, or publishing or causing the same to be published whenever he or she shall deem it to be in the public interest.
History of Section.P.L. 1988, ch. 98, § 1.
Structure Rhode Island General Laws
Title 42 - State Affairs and Government
Chapter 42-12 - Department of Human Services
Section 42-12-1. - Department of human services.
Section 42-12-1.1. - Transfer of functions from the department of education.
Section 42-12-1.2. - Transfer of functions from the former department of social welfare.
Section 42-12-1.3. - Transfer of functions from the department of elderly affairs.
Section 42-12-1.4. - Repealed.
Section 42-12-1.5. - Transfer of functions from the office of energy resources.
Section 42-12-2. - Management of institutions.
Section 42-12-3. - Parole and probation.
Section 42-12-4. - Welfare supervision.
Section 42-12-5. - Assistance on veterans’ claims.
Section 42-12-6. - Unemployment relief.
Section 42-12-7. - Special veterans’ funds.
Section 42-12-8. - Vocational rehabilitation services provided by department.
Section 42-12-8.1. - Repealed.
Section 42-12-9. - Rehabilitation of disabled persons.
Section 42-12-10. - Rehabilitation of disadvantaged persons.
Section 42-12-11. - Cooperation in administration of federal statutes.
Section 42-12-12. - Appropriations and disbursements.
Section 42-12-13. - Acceptance and use of gifts.
Section 42-12-14. - Persons requiring permanent care or not susceptible to rehabilitation.
Section 42-12-15. - Acceptance of federal vocational rehabilitation act — Custody of funds.
Section 42-12-16. - Acceptance of amendments to federal act — Custody of funds.
Section 42-12-17. - Agreements as to disability determinations — Funds.
Section 42-12-18. - Transfer of powers and functions from department of human services.
Section 42-12-20. - Responsibility of director — Traumatic brain injury.
Section 42-12-21. - “Traumatic brain injury” defined.
Section 42-12-22. - Confidentiality of personal information — Authorized uses.
Section 42-12-23. - Child care — Planning and coordinating.
Section 42-12-24. - Development, innovation and start-up of early education and care programs.
Section 42-12-25. - Child care training, accreditation, technical assistance, and monitoring.
Section 42-12-26. - Expansion and enhancement of early education and care for low-income children.
Section 42-12-28. - Child support enforcement functions.
Section 42-12-29. - Children’s health account.
Section 42-12-30. - Expenditures under the traumatic brain injury program.