(1) All information obtained by the department staff or its delegated representative, as a result of an investigation made pursuant to this chapter, shall not be divulged to anyone except:
- (a) Persons suspected of abuse or neglect or exploitation, provided that in such cases names of informants may be withheld, unless ordered by the court;
- (b) Persons within the department or cabinet with a legitimate interest or responsibility related to the case;
- (c) Other medical, psychological, or social service agencies, or law enforcement agencies that have a legitimate interest in the case;
- (d) Cases where a court orders release of such information;
- (e) The alleged abused or neglected or exploited person; and
- (f) The Commonwealth Office of the Ombudsman established pursuant to KRS 43.035.
- (2) This section shall not be interpreted as prohibiting the Commonwealth Office of the Ombudsman from reporting pursuant to KRS 43.035 on de-identified information made confidential by this section.
Effective: March 27, 2025
History: Amended 2025 Ky. Acts ch. 117, sec. 29, effective March 27, 2025. -- Created 1980 Ky. Acts ch. 372, sec. 10, effective July 15, 1980. Legislative Research Commission Note (11/9/93). Prior references to the "bureau" and the "department" in this statute were changed to "department" and "cabinet" pursuant to 1982 Ky. Acts ch. 393, sec. 50(5), and KRS 7.136(2).