1. (a)

   1. (1) All Division of State Services for the Blind staff are responsible for ensuring that personal information regarding applicants and recipients of services furnished to this agency are held confidential.

   2. (2) This includes information such as:

      1. (A) Lists of names and addresses;
      2. (B) Records of agency evaluation;
      3. (C) Reports of medical examination and treatment;
      4. (D) Financial information; and
      5. (E) Photographs.

2. (b) Release of information.

   1. (1)

      1. (A) Release of information to any individual, agency, or organization shall be conditioned upon satisfactory assurance by such individual, agency, or organization that the information:

3. (i) Will be used only for the purpose for which it is provided; and

   1. (ii) Will not be released to any other individual, agency, or organization.

      1. (B) Information will not be disclosed, other than in the administration of the VR program, unless the informed consent of the consumer has been obtained in writing.
      2. (C) Any release of information must be in accordance with 34 C.F.R. § 361.38.
   2. (2) Upon written request, information shall be released to the consumer or, as appropriate, the parent/guardian or other representative.
   3. (3) For purposes regarding any proceeding or action for benefit or damages, only information that is relevant to the needs of the consumer may be released.
   4. (4) If the division has obtained personal information from another agency or organization, it may be released only by the other agency or organization from which it originated.

Codification Notes: “VR” means vocational rehabilitation.