PURPOSE: This rule regulates the internal affairs of the department regarding confidentiality.
- (1) Any information furnished to or received by the department or its employees from a corporation, person or other entity shall be open to inspection by the public and be subject to reasonable requirements set by the department for safekeeping, except those matters which are specifically required by the laws of this state, or the rules of this department, to be kept confidential.
- (2) Confidential information that employees receive in their capacity in the department may not be used for personal gain or for the benefit of any private interest. All employees of the department shall become familiar with the department’s meetings and records rules in 20 CSR 10-2.
- (3) Employees shall be mindful not to discuss confidential, sensitive or personal information regarding personnel actions, employees, applicants, companies, agents or brokers, or other department matters in a manner or place where the discussion could be overheard. Active measures must be taken by employees to insure that confidential information is not accessible to anyone other than authorized employees. Records and files must not be left where other employees, visitors or industry representatives could read or examine them.
- (4) It is the responsibility of supervisors and management to provide employees with instruction on maintaining the security of records, and the proper release of information in records; however, each department employee is responsible for assuring confidentiality of information in records within his/her control, and releasing information to authorized agencies, companies or individuals as provided for by law. It is also each employee’s responsibility to check with supervisors or other members of management to determine whether particular information is considered confidential.
- (5) Any employee of the department who divulges any confidential information in violation of this rule shall be subject to disciplinary proceedings, legal action, or both.
AUTHORITY: section 374.045, RSMo 2000.* Original rule filed Jan. 8, 1992, effective May 14, 1992. Amended: Filed Oct. 15, 2007, effective May 30, 2008.
*Original authority: 374.045, RSMo 1967, amended 1993, 1995.