Access To Confidential Records

Access To Confidential Records. (a) Except as otherwise provided in this section, the Commission may only release confidential records if ordered to do so by a court of competent jurisdiction following compliance with Miss. Code Ann. §75-76-153. (b) All requests for access to confidential records must be made in writing to the Executive Director. (c) Pursuant to a written request, as described in subsection (b), from any duly authorized agent of any agency of the United States Government, any state, or any political subdivision of this state, the Commission may release confidential records to the agency requesting them, except as otherwise provided in subsection (d), upon a finding by the Executive Director that the release is consistent with the policy of this state as reflected in the Act. (d) Notwithstanding any other section of this regulation, the Commission may only release work permit records: 1. Pursuant to subsection (c), if the agency requesting the records is a law enforcement agency; or 2. Pursuant to subsection (e). (e) Pursuant to a written request, as described in subsection (b), the Executive Director or the Commission may release confidential records to the person requesting them upon an express written finding by the Executive Director or the Commission that the release of the confidential record(s) is necessary for the effective administration of the Act. The release of confidential records is necessary for the effective administration of the Act when, in the discretion of the Executive Director or the Commission: 1. It is the most effective means of furthering or accomplishing any objective authorized by the Act or these regulations; 2. It is not in conflict with the policy underlying the Act; and 3. There are no practical, effective alternative means of furthering or accomplishing the objective. (f) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this regulation, the Executive Director may enter into agreements with other governmental agencies for the exchange or release of confidential information: 1. Provided that the Executive Director determines that the release of information contemplated by the agreement will be consistent with the policy of this state as reflected in the Act, pursuant to subsection (c) of this section; or 2. If work permit records will be released to any governmental agency other than a law enforcement agency pursuant to the agreement, provided that the Executive Director makes an express written finding that the release of work permit records contemplated by the agreement are necessary for the effective administration of the Act, pursuant to subsection (e) of this section. (g) Once the Executive Director enters into an agreement pursuant to subsection (f) of this section, the agreement constitutes compliance with subsections (c), (d), and (e) of this section, and the Executive Director is not required to make separate findings each time that confidential information is released pursuant to the agreement. (h) The Executive Director or the Commission may require any party receiving confidential information to agree in writing or on the record of any hearing to any limitations that the Executive Director or the Commission deems necessary prior to giving that party the confidential information. (Adopted: 09/25/1991.)