Privacy and Safeguarding Information

DCSS-POL-08-15 v.2

 

1. OVERVIEW

1. The purpose of this policy is to provide staff and members of the public a working knowledge of privacy and safeguarding confidential information.  Confidential information is defined as any information specific to a person, including Social Security number (SSN), address, employment, and financial information.  This includes all information provided by locate sources, interfaces, information from parties related to a case, work product and attorney-client privileged information (unless waived by the Director).  The Division of Child Support Services (DCSS) is required by federal guidelines and state statute to have safeguards in place to protect its client’s confidential information.  An employee of the DCSS or its agents who discloses any confidential information without authorization is subject to disciplinary action and civil penalties in accordance with state and federal law and may be subject to criminal penalties.

2. APPLICABILITY

1. This policy applies to all Arizona IV-D program staff performing Title IV-D services.

3. POLICY

1. The DCSS safeguards against the unauthorized use or disclosure of confidential information in Title IV-D cases.

4. CRITERIA

1. The following information is considered confidential and will not be disclosed by the DCSS outside of its IV-D responsibilities:

1. Social Security number.
2. Date of birth.
3. Residential and mailing address.
4. Home and cell phone number.
5. Driver’s license number.
6. Financial account numbers or credit or debit card numbers.
7. Medical information.
8. Employment information.
9. Federal Tax Information (FTI) to third parties.
10. Consumer credit reports.
11. Assets held in financial institutions.

If a request does not pertain to its IV-D responsibilities, DCSS will not disclose any confidential informaion.

5. PROCEDURE

1. This policy is supported by staff procedures, which identify how action related to this policy will be conducted, including responsibilities, time frames, and required actions. Staff may access the procedures here

6. AUTHORITY

Federal Authority
42 U.S.C. § 653	Federal parent locate service
42 U.S.C. § 653a	State directory of new hires
42 U.S.C. § 654	State plan for child and spousal support
42 U.S.C. § 1320b-7	Income and eligibility verification system
5 U.S.C. § 552	Public information; agency rules, opinions, orders, records, and proceedings
5 U.S.C. § 552a	Records maintained on individuals
45 C.F.R. § 302.35	State parent locator service
45 C.F.R. § 303.21	Safeguarding and disclosure of confidential information
45 C.F.R. § 307.13	Security and confidentiality for computerized support enforcement systems in operation after October 1, 1997

State Authority
A.R.S. § 25-523	Financial institutions data match; non-liability; prohibited disclosure; liability; civil liability; definition
A.R.S. § 41-1959	Confidential information; permissible disclosure; rules; violation; classification
D.E.S. 1-38-8240-04	Personal Information Disclosure - Reporting a Disclosure Breach of Personally Identifiable Information (PII)

Return to beginning of the Privacy and Safeguarding Information Policy

 

Policy Revision Date: 12/15/2022

Policy Review Date: 12/14/2022

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