N.M. Admin. Code § 8.50.100.14

Current through Register Vol. 35, No. 17, September 10, 2024

Section 8.50.100.14 - AUTHORIZED RELEASE OF INFORMATION

Some information must be released to persons outside the agency. IV-D staff will exercise caution in releasing information on a Title IV-D case. Information should be released only after the identity of the requestor and the right to receive the information is clearly established. The burden of proving the legitimacy of a request is on the requestor.

A. Information may be released to the following parties:

(1) Applicants or recipients of Title IV-D services: Custodial and non-custodial parties of Title IV-D cases, their respective attorney of record, guardian, or power of attorney may obtain information concerning the receipt and distribution of payments, copies of legal documents filed in court on their case, public assistance benefits history, payment records, official notifications for a fee established by HSD, and correspondence from either the custodial or non-custodial party. They are not entitled to receive information that relates to the state's legal strategy or is otherwise protected by federal and state laws.

(2) Information may be released per the operational requirements of the program, subject to federal and state laws on confidentiality. Other agencies/requesters include, but are not limited to: district courts, credit reporting agencies, tax intercept programs, financial institutions, other Title IV agencies, medicaid agencies, authorized government agents (both federal and state authorized government agents must present adequate identification and permission from the individual concerned unless otherwise authorized to receive information), the federal office of child support enforcement and other state governmental bodies that are responsible for issuing licenses or holding money that is collectible by the Title IV-D agency.

(3) Congressional, executive or legislative inquiries - Congressional, executive and legislative inquiries are subject to all regulations governing confidentiality.

(4) Other individuals - Other individuals may obtain information through legal discovery procedures or from the custodial or non-custodial party.

B. Requests for information:

(1) Phone inquiries - Title IV-D staff will not release information on the telephone to anyone other than the custodial party, the non-custodial party, or his or her authorized representative. Requests by a third party for information must be submitted in writing.

(2) Written requests - Written requests for case information shall be screened by the Title IV-D agency to determine what information, if any, will be released.

(3) Walk-in requests - The same precautions applying to phone inquiries shall be used in dealing with walk-in requests for information. If uncertainty exists as to the identity of the requestor, the worker will ask to see identification before providing case information.

(4) Third party requests - The Title IV-D agency will not honor a request for information from a third party without a notarized release from either the custodial party or non-custodial party that specifies the information to be released. A third party may not obtain information pursuant to an authorized release unless the party consenting to the release is entitled to receive the information. The information provided will be in accordance with authorized releases according to federal and state law. The Title IV-D agency reserves the right to provide the requested information directly to either the custodial party or non-custodial party rather than the third party requestor or to redact personal or confidential information, as appropriate. An attorney of record for a custodial or non-custodial party is not considered a third party requestor.

N.M. Admin. Code § 8.50.100.14

8.50.100.14 NMAC - Rp, 8.50.100.15 NMAC, 12/30/10, Amended by New Mexico Register, Volume XXXII, Issue 23, December 14, 2021, eff. 1/1/2022