Appendix

# 

# Data Firms Getting Too Personal? 

> ROBERT O\'HARROW JR.

WASHINGTON POST STAFF WRITER

EYE AT THE KEYHOLE: PRIVACY IN THE DIGITAL AGE 1/3, in a series

Sunday, March 8, 1998; Page A01

CONWAY, Ark. \-- You\'ve probably never heard of Acxiom Corp., a giant
information service tucked near the rolling Ozark foothills. But chances
are that Acxiom knows quite a lot about you.

Twenty-four hours a day, Acxiom electronically gathers and sorts
information about 196 million Americans. Credit card transactions and
magazine subscriptions. Telephone numbers and real estate records. Car
registrations and fishing licenses. Consumer surveys and demographic
details.

> What Acxiom does is perfectly legal \-- bringing together an array of
> facts from scattered sources. But the phenomenon known as \"data
> warehousing\" or \"datamining\" represents yet another example of how
> traditional notions of personal privacy have become obsolete,
> outstripped by technology\'s ability to peer into personal lives.

In a flash, data warehouses can assemble electronic dossiers that give
marketers, insurers and in some cases law enforcement a stunningly clear
look into your needs, lifestyle and spending habits. And without
aggressive action to preempt the companies, individuals have no control
over facts that are gathered and disseminated about them.

The explosion of data warehousing has sharpened the ethical, legal and
political questions about an individual\'s right to privacy in an
increasingly open society.

Access to minute details about prospective customers was once just a
marketer\'s dream. Now, privacy advocates believe the fulfillment of
that dream represents an unprecedented intrusion into individual lives.

\"The whole thing is scary,\" said Jim Settle, former supervisor of the
FBI\'s National Computer Crimes Squad and now a security consultant in
Fairfax. \"It\'s not the government you need to worry about. It\'s
private industry.\"

Acxiom often can determine whether you own a dog or a cat, enjoy camping
or gourmet cooking, read the Bible or lots of other books. It often can
pinpoint your occupations, the car you drive, your favorite vacations.
And by analyzing the equivalent of billions of pages of data, it often
projects for its customers who should be offered a credit card or who is
likely to buy a personal computer.

Some believe this new power is fundamentally benign and ultimately
benefits consumers by allowing quicker loan approvals and fewer annoying
direct mail pitches.

> \"The data has always been there,\" said Donald Hinman, an Acxiom
> executive. \"It\'s just that now, with the technology, you can access
> it.\"

Acxiom is a leader among hundreds of companies around the country that
now maintain vast electronic reservoirs. These companies include
retailers like Sears, Roebuck and Co., gift shop chains like Hallmark
Cards Inc. and insurance companies like Allstate.

**Data Firms Getting Too Personal? (Continued)**

> Data warehouses glean much of their information from consumers
> themselves, who often don\'t realize that the facts they provide in
> credit card applications or at the checkout counter are valuable
> commodities in this new age of information trading.

Firms like Acxiom are under few obligations to divulge their files to
consumers, and state and federal lawmakers are only beginning to address
some of the privacy questions raised by aggressive data gathering.

Although banks and retailers have long kept files on customers, few have
had the technological capability to sort information from various
sources \-- everything from government records to magazine subscriptions
\-- to produce a clearer picture of their patrons.

\"Technology has been the enabler,\" said Hinman, who likens the
advances to the invention of the printing press. \"Today it\'s almost
unbounded, our ability to gather, sort and make sense of the vast
quantities of information.\"

The number of data warehouses, large and small, using faster computers,
the Internet and other networks now exceeds 1,000, a tenfold increase in
five years. Only a few \-- such as Metromail Corp. and R.L. Polk & Co.
\-- have grown as large or powerful as Acxiom.

\"They have gone on an information collecting binge,\" said Charles
Morgan Jr., Acxiom\'s chief executive, describing the datamining
explosion. \"There\'s just this insatiable appetite for more information
to make better decisions.\"

Privacy anxieties have drawn the attention of legislators and regulators
in Washington and across the country. New federal restrictions on the
use of credit reports and driving records took effect last fall; the
federal Department of Health and Human Services recently made
recommendations about the use of personal health information.

The Clinton administration has pressed companies using the Internet to
disclose more about their information gathering. And last year, the
number of privacy bills introduced in state legislatures topped 8,500,
according to an analysis by StateNet, which tracks legislation.

In Virginia, for example, legislators are considering sharper
restrictions on pharmacies concerning the use of prescription
information. And the U.S. Senate two weeks ago began considering several
bills that would reinforce medical privacy protections.

But privacy specialists say such scattershot efforts lag far behind the
race to build larger, faster data repositories.

\"We have witnessed an enormous transformation in information collection
and use, without any of the concomitant political debate,\" said Joel
Reidenberg, a Fordham University law professor and author. \"This stuff
has dramatically increased and changed, largely hidden from public
view.\"

**Data Firms Getting Too Personal? (Continued)**

**Web of Information**

The surge in aggressive data gathering is obvious to anyone who has
cruised the Internet lately, although no one really monitors precisely
how such information is used.

Sites on the World Wide Web now track visitor meanderings, using the
information to target advertising online. Many also solicit names and
other personal information from computer users \-- details that are
sometimes matched to files kept in data warehouses.

One New York clothing company targets children on the Web, asking for
names, ages, addresses, genders and hobbies in exchange for a \"Jet Set
button,\" according to Shelley Pasnik, director of children\'s policy at
the nonprofit Center for Media Education, a group pressing for
regulation to control marketing to children. Pasnik said countless Web
sites are \"preying on children\'s desire to fit in and be cool.\"

Credit reporting is a booming business, but officials at the country\'s
big three credit bureaus \-- Experian Inc., Equifax Inc. and Trans Union
Corp. \-- declined to divulge just how many credit reports they issue.
They say such information could help their competitors.

Associated Credit Bureaus Inc., a Washington-based trade group,
estimates that 600 million reports were sold last year, a 25 percent
jump since 1991. These reports typically contain a person\'s name, age,
Social Security number, past and current addresses, as well as
information on credit and payment histories.

There also has been an uncharted increase in the number of World Wide
Web sites selling reports with personal data that helps locate
individuals, evaluate them for jobs or bolster legal cases against them.
These details frequently are culled, legally, from credit reports.

Jack Reed, chairman of Information Resource Service Co., estimated that
his firm is one of several thousand \-- up from several hundred a few
years ago \-- now making such information available. His company\'s
sales of reports tied to Social Security numbers have more than tripled
since 1990 to 25,000 a month. Like some other large information
services, Reed said, IRSC sells data only to clients who dial in
directly.

A newcomer to this field is Discreet Research, a small Tamarac, Fla.,
operation. Discreet\'s home page on the Internet recently showed an eye
peering through a peephole.

Discreet offers a \"disguised free gift packaged\" phone card that can
be given to individuals a customer wants to track. The card secretly
generates a report of telephone numbers the user dials.

Discreet also boasts of \"fast turnaround\" on requests for personal
data. In a demonstration, owner David Muskowitz took about two minutes
to find a caller\'s Social Security number, including the time required
to correct a typing error.

\"We\'re just trying to do a professional job,\" said Muskowitz, who
gathers much of his information by paying a modest monthly fee for
access to the files of information brokers. Tina Furlow, an assistant
Florida attorney general, said, \"We definitely are looking into this.\"

**Data Firms Getting Too Personal? (Continued)**

There are few laws restricting the collection and sale of most personal
data, and federal agencies have stressed self-regulation and greater
disclosure of data gathering.

# Steps To Protect Your Privacy

**[Phone, Mail and Email Contacts]{.underline}**

+----------------+------------------+---+---------------------+---+-----------+
| **Who to       | **For...**       |   | **Address**         |   | **Phone   |
| contact**      |                  |   |                     |   | Number**  |
+================+==================+===+=====================+===+===========+
| Equifax        | Copy of your     |   | Equifax Options     |   | 1-800     |
|                | credit report    |   |                     |   | -685-1111 |
|                |                  |   | Equifax Marketing   |   |           |
|                |                  |   | Decision            |   |           |
|                |                  |   |                     |   |           |
|                |                  |   | Systems Inc.        |   |           |
|                |                  |   |                     |   |           |
|                |                  |   | P.O. Box 740123     |   |           |
|                |                  |   |                     |   |           |
|                |                  |   | Atlanta, Ga.        |   |           |
|                |                  |   | 30374-0123          |   |           |
+----------------+------------------+---+---------------------+---+-----------+
| Experian       | Copy of your     |   | Experian National   |   | 1-888     |
| (formerly TRW) | credit report    |   | Consumer Assistance |   | -397-3742 |
|                |                  |   | Center              |   |           |
|                |                  |   |                     |   |           |
|                |                  |   | P.O. Box 2104,      |   |           |
|                |                  |   |                     |   |           |
|                |                  |   | Allen, Texas        |   |           |
|                |                  |   | 75013-2104          |   |           |
+----------------+------------------+---+---------------------+---+-----------+
| Trans Union    | Copy of your     |   | Trans Union         |   | 1-800     |
|                | credit report    |   |                     |   | -888-4213 |
|                |                  |   | 555 West Adams St.  |   |           |
|                |                  |   |                     |   |           |
|                |                  |   | 8^th^ Floor         |   |           |
|                |                  |   |                     |   |           |
|                |                  |   | Chicago, Ill. 60661 |   |           |
+----------------+------------------+---+---------------------+---+-----------+
| Equifax        | Stop receiving   |   |                     |   | 1-888     |
|                | unsolicited      |   |                     |   | -567-8688 |
|                | "preapproved"    |   |                     |   |           |
|                | credit card      |   |                     |   |           |
|                | offers           |   |                     |   |           |
+----------------+------------------+---+---------------------+---+-----------+
| Experian       | Stop receiving   |   |                     |   | 1-800     |
| (formerly TRW) | unsolicited      |   |                     |   | -353-0809 |
|                | "pre-approved"   |   |                     |   |           |
|                | credit card      |   |                     |   |           |
|                | offers           |   |                     |   |           |
+----------------+------------------+---+---------------------+---+-----------+
| Trans Union    | Stop receiving   |   |                     |   | 1-800     |
|                | unsolicited      |   |                     |   | -680-7293 |
|                | "pre-approved"   |   |                     |   |           |
|                | credit card      |   |                     |   |           |
|                | offers           |   |                     |   |           |
+----------------+------------------+---+---------------------+---+-----------+
| Cookies        | Instructions for |   | <http://www.junkb   |   |           |
|                | ensuring that    |   | usters.com/ht/en/co |   |           |
|                | the internet     |   | okies.html#disable> |   |           |
|                | sites do not hit |   |                     |   |           |
|                | you with         |   |                     |   |           |
|                | targeted ads     |   |                     |   |           |
+----------------+------------------+---+---------------------+---+-----------+
| Direct         |                  |   | <http:/             |   |           |
| Marketing      |                  |   | /www.the-dma.org/to |   |           |
| Association    |                  |   | pframe/index7.html> |   |           |
+----------------+------------------+---+---------------------+---+-----------+
| FTC Web Site   | Links to all 50  |   | <http://www.        |   |           |
|                | DMV offices for  |   | ftc.gov/privacy/pro |   |           |
|                | policies on      |   | tect.htm#Department |   |           |
|                | whether your     |   | _of_Motor_Vehicles> |   |           |
|                | state sells DMV  |   |                     |   |           |
|                | data             |   |                     |   |           |
+----------------+------------------+---+---------------------+---+-----------+
| FTC Web Site   | Site Seeing On   | < |                     |   |           |
|                | The Internet-    | h |                     |   |           |
|                | Safety Tips for  | t |                     |   |           |
|                | browsing the     | t |                     |   |           |
|                | internet         | p |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | : |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | / |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | / |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | w |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | w |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | w |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | . |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | f |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | t |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | c |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | . |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | g |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | o |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | v |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | / |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | b |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | c |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | p |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | / |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | c |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | o |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | n |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | l |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | i |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | n |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | e |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | / |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | p |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | u |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | b |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | s |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | / |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | o |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | n |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | l |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | i |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | n |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | e |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | / |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | s |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | i |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | t |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | e |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | s |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | e |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | e |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | / |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | i |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | n |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | d |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | e |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | x |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | . |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | h |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | t |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | m |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | l |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | > |                     |   |           |
+----------------+------------------+---+---------------------+---+-----------+
| Systems        | Software         | < |                     |   |           |
| Utility:       | available for    | h |                     |   |           |
| Security       | password         | t |                     |   |           |
|                | protection       | t |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | p |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | : |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | / |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | / |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | w |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | w |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | w |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | 2 |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | . |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | p |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | c |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | w |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | o |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | r |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | l |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | d |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | . |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | c |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | o |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | m |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | / |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | f |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | i |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | l |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | e |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | w |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | o |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | r |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | l |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | d |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | / |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | c |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | a |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | t |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | _ |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | i |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | n |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | d |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | e |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | x |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | _ |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | s |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | u |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | b |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | / |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | f |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | r |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | a |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | m |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | e |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | s |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | e |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | t |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | / |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | 0 |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | , |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | 1 |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | 4 |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | 6 |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | 0 |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | , |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | s |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | y |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | s |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | t |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | e |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | m |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | + |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | s |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | e |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | c |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | u |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | r |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | i |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | t |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | y |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | , |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | 0 |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | 0 |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | . |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | h |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | t |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | m |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | l |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | > |                     |   |           |
+----------------+------------------+---+---------------------+---+-----------+
| Direct         | To tell the      | D |                     |   |           |
| Marketing      | Direct Marketing | i |                     |   |           |
| Association    | Association to   | r |                     |   |           |
|                | notify all its   | e |                     |   |           |
|                | members not to   | c |                     |   |           |
|                | send mail to     | t |                     |   |           |
|                | you.             | M |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | a |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | r |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | k |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | e |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | t |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | i |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | n |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | g |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | A |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | s |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | s |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | o |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | c |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | i |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | a |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | t |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | i |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | o |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | n |                     |   |           |
|                |                  |   |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | M |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | a |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | i |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | l |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | P |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | r |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | e |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | f |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | e |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | r |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | e |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | n |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | c |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | e |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | S |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | e |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | r |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | v |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | i |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | c |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | e |                     |   |           |
|                |                  |   |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | P |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | . |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | O |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | . |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | B |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | o |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | x |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | 9 |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | 0 |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | 0 |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | 8 |                     |   |           |
|                |                  |   |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | F |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | a |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | r |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | m |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | i |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | n |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | d |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | a |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | l |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | e |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | , |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | N |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | . |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | Y |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | . |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | 1 |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | 1 |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | 7 |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | 3 |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | 5 |                     |   |           |
+----------------+------------------+---+---------------------+---+-----------+
| R.I. Polk &    | To notify the    | R |                     |   |           |
| Company        | major mailing    | . |                     |   |           |
|                | list companies   | I |                     |   |           |
|                | to take your     | . |                     |   |           |
|                | name off the     | P |                     |   |           |
|                | lists they sell  | o |                     |   |           |
|                | to direct        | l |                     |   |           |
|                | marketers        | k |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | & |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | C |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | o |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | m |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | p |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | a |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | n |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | y |                     |   |           |
|                |                  |   |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | L |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | i |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | s |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | t |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | C |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | o |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | m |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | p |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | i |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | l |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | a |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | t |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | i |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | o |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | n |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | & |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | D |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | e |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | v |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | e |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | l |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | o |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | p |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | m |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | e |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | n |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | t |                     |   |           |
|                |                  |   |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | 6 |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | 4 |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | 0 |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | 0 |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | M |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | o |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | n |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | r |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | o |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | e |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | B |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | l |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | v |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | d |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | . |                     |   |           |
|                |                  |   |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | T |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | a |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | y |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | l |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | o |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | r |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | , |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | M |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | i |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | c |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | h |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | . |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | 4 |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | 8 |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | 1 |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | 8 |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | 0 |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | - |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | 1 |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | 8 |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | 1 |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | 4 |                     |   |           |
+----------------+------------------+---+---------------------+---+-----------+
| Donnelley      | To notify the    | D |                     |   |           |
| Marketing Inc. | major mailing    | o |                     |   |           |
|                | list companies   | n |                     |   |           |
|                | to take your     | n |                     |   |           |
|                | name off the     | e |                     |   |           |
|                | lists they sell  | l |                     |   |           |
|                | to direct        | l |                     |   |           |
|                | marketers        | y |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | M |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | a |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | r |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | k |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | e |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | t |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | i |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | n |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | g |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | I |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | n |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | c |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | . |                     |   |           |
|                |                  |   |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | D |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | a |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | t |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | a |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | b |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | a |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | s |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | e |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | O |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | p |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | e |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | r |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | a |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | t |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | i |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | o |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | n |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | s |                     |   |           |
|                |                  |   |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | 1 |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | 2 |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | 3 |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | 5 |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | N |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | A |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | v |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | e |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | . |                     |   |           |
|                |                  |   |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | N |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | e |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | v |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | a |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | d |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | a |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | , |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | I |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | o |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | w |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | a |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | 5 |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | 0 |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | 2 |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | 0 |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | 1 |                     |   |           |
+----------------+------------------+---+---------------------+---+-----------+
| Electronic     | For privacy      | [ |                     |   |           |
| Privacy        | issues relating  | w |                     |   |           |
| Information    | to the National  | w |                     |   |           |
| Center (EPIC)  | Information      | w |                     |   |           |
|                | Infrastructure   | . |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | e |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | p |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | i |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | c |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | . |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | o |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | r |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | g |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | ] |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | ( |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | h |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | t |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | t |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | p |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | : |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | / |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | / |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | w |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | w |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | w |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | . |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | e |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | p |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | i |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | c |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | . |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | o |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | r |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | g |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | / |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | ) |                     |   |           |
+----------------+------------------+---+---------------------+---+-----------+
| Privacy        | International    | [ |                     |   |           |
| International  | human rights     | w |                     |   |           |
|                | group that       | w |                     |   |           |
|                | campaigns        | w |                     |   |           |
|                | against privacy  | . |                     |   |           |
|                | violations       | p |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | r |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | i |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | v |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | a |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | c |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | y |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | . |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | o |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | r |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | g |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | / |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | p |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | i |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | ] |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | ( |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | h |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | t |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | t |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | p |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | : |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | / |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | / |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | w |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | w |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | w |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | . |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | p |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | r |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | i |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | v |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | a |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | c |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | y |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | . |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | o |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | r |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | g |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | / |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | p |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | i |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | ) |                     |   |           |
+----------------+------------------+---+---------------------+---+-----------+
| Computer       | To review        | [ |                     |   |           |
| Professionals  | technology's     | w |                     |   |           |
| for Social     | impact on        | w |                     |   |           |
| Responsibility | society          | w |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | . |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | c |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | p |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | s |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | r |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | . |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | o |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | r |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | g |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | . |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | c |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | p |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | s |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | r |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | ] |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | ( |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | h |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | t |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | t |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | p |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | : |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | / |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | / |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | w |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | w |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | w |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | . |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | c |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | p |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | s |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | r |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | . |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | o |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | r |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | g |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | . |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | c |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | p |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | s |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | r |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | / |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | ) |                     |   |           |
+----------------+------------------+---+---------------------+---+-----------+
| Privacy Rights | To obtain the    | [ |                     |   |           |
| Clearinghouse  | privacy rights   | w |                     |   |           |
|                | fact sheet       | w |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | w |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | . |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | p |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | r |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | i |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | v |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | a |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | c |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | y |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | r |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | i |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | g |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | h |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | t |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | s |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | . |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | o |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | r |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | g |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | ] |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | ( |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | h |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | t |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | t |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | p |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | : |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | / |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | / |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | w |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | w |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | w |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | . |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | p |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | r |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | i |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | v |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | a |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | c |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | y |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | r |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | i |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | g |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | h |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | t |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | s |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | . |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | o |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | r |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | g |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | / |                     |   |           |
|                |                  | ) |                     |   |           |
+----------------+------------------+---+---------------------+---+-----------+

# Stolen Identity Hostages Thieves Cash In On Others\' Names, Credit And Future

By Tom Lowry

Tues., April 6, 1999

FINAL EDITION

Section: MONEY

Page 1B

Yvonne Flores realized someone had stolen her identity when she
discovered her name on a \$48,000 mortgage for a house 550 miles away.

The 22-year-old high school English teacher, who lives with her parents,
had never even been to Mt. Pleasant, Texas, where the ranch house was
purchased in her name.

Flores is among an exploding number of unsuspecting citizens whose
identities have been stolen. And the thieves are no longer satisfied
with making a couple of hundred dollars worth of fraudulent credit card
purchases. Bogus transactions are running into tens of thousands of
dollars, and theft victims are spending years trying to clear their
credit records.

The rise comes as more and more personal information is bought and sold
through information brokers. And governments have contributed: 13 states
still use Social Security numbers \-- the key to unlocking personal
information \-- as driver\'s license numbers.

No one has comprehensive figures, but Trans Union, one of the major
credit reporting agencies, says it received 554,450 requests for help
from fraud victims and potential victims last year, up from only 35,235
in 1992. Two-thirds of the complaints involve identity theft. Trans
Union says it receives about 1,400 calls a day from identity fraud
victims.

Flores says she never would have known about the house if a credit
report hadn\'t listed the purchase. That was 18 months ago, and Flores
is still struggling to regain her identity. \'\'It\'s just horrible,\'\'
she says. \'\'I feel so violated, knowing that someone knows all my
information.\'\'

Because of the alarming rise in identity crime, Congress is looking into
toughening federal laws. Right now, \'\'It\'s a crime with very little
consequences for the perpetrator,\'\' says Beth Givens, director of the
Privacy Rights Clearinghouse, an advocacy group for victims.
\'\'There\'s little possibility law enforcement will pursue and
investigate this crime. And if they are caught, imposters face very
light sentences.\'\'

Identity thieves steal Social Security numbers \-- widely used to
identify individuals \-- driver\'s license numbers and mothers\' maiden
names, often used as a kind of password to protect an account \-- to
open credit card accounts and take out loans.

Frauds often buy the information from thieves who specialize in stealing
the financial keys to someone\'s identity. They do that by \'\'shoulder
surfing\'\' at an automated teller machine \-- looking over victims\'
shoulders as they enter a personal identification number. They steal
information from mailboxes, get credit reports by posing as landlords
and \'\'dumpster dive\'\' to retrieve discarded credit card bills and
receipts from the trash.

**Stolen Identity Hostages Thieves Cash In On Others\' Names, Credit And
Future (Continued)**

[More than bank robbers]{.underline}

The result of such thefts: astounding amounts of debt racked up in the
name of innocent victims.

The average take for a bank robber is about \$2,500. But an identity
thief runs up an average of \$20,000 to \$30,000 in bills on each
victim, says Greg Regan of the U.S. Secret Service, which investigates
credit card

fraud.

\'\'The more we move to a cashless society, the more possible victims
are out there,\'\' Regan says. Organized crime has made a big business
of identity theft, Regan says. The Secret Service has task forces in 12
cities to

investigate such activities by Nigerian gangs.

\'\'Once you have your credit information compromised, it can turn your
life upside down,\'\' Regan says. Faced with an explosion of cases,
lawmakers are starting to take notice. Some members of Congress plan to
introduce the Personal Information Privacy Act, which would:

\* Prevent credit bureaus from giving out Social Security numbers,
unlisted telephone numbers and mothers\' maiden names.

\* Prohibit marketers or information brokers from selling Social
Security numbers without the owners\' consent.

\* Prohibit state motor vehicle departments from selling Social Security
numbers and photographs to marketers.

\* Prohibit distribution of a consumer report for transactions not
initiated by the consumer or without a consumer\'s written
authorization.

\* Prohibit the sale or transfer of a consumer\'s financial transaction
or experience information for marketing purposes without consent. \*
Provide civil and criminal penalties for violations.

\'\'Identity theft is much more serious than meets the eye,\'\' says
Rep. Jerry Kleczka, D-Wis., one of the bill\'s sponsors. \'\'We need to
get a leash on this problem.\'\'

Some prosecutors are making cases. Three weeks ago, a Chula Vista,
Calif., woman pleaded guilty to using a stolen Social Security number to
obtain more than \$16,000 in credit and then filing for bankruptcy in
the name of her victim, who lived in Georgia. Theresa Marie
Thompson-Snow, 29, pleaded guilty to avoid being charged with at least
three other cases of identity theft, says prosecutor Ranee Katzenstein.

Up to 20 years in jail Still, Thomspon-Snow, a notary public and
paralegal, faces up to 20 years in prison and fines up to \$1 million.
She and the victim attended the same college in Arizona, and because of
a computer error, Thompson-Snow received loan documents, including a
Social Security number, belonging to Valdosta State University English
professor Theresa Mae Thompson.

**Stolen Identity Hostages Thieves Cash In On Others\' Names, Credit And
Future (Continued)**

In the Flores case, there also was an arrest. Rosa Lopez, 29, was
arrested by Mt. Pleasant, Texas, police and charged with tampering with
a government record \-- a mortgage form \-- in connection with Flores\'
case.

Lopez pleaded guilty in February. She was sentenced to five years\'
probation, according to Titus County District Attorney Chuck Bailey.
Lopez also used Flores\' Social Security number to get a job, Flores
says. And Flores says she has received letters from the Internal Revenue
Service about taxes owed on the wages.

Lopez\'s lawyer did not return phone calls for comment.

Fleet Mortgage says it removed Flores\' name from the mortgage in
mid-February. But Flores says she is still waiting to have her credit
record cleared by two credit agencies. As a result, Flores says she and
her fiance have postponed their wedding until February to make sure the
record is clear so they can buy a house. \'\'Some days this is just
really hard to take,\'\' she says.

Marvin Young, 31, knows the feeling. For seven years, Young \-- a
merchandise coordinator for a jewelry retailer \-- has been haunted by
someone using his identity on a cross-country spending spree resulting
in more than \$40,000 in debt.

Young learned of the identity thief when the Sacramento police called
him in 1991 saying they had a warrant for his arrest for check fraud.

Young believes the perpetrator is a former housemate, who copied
information from his Mississippi driver\'s license.

Since 1991, Young has had to close more than 70 accounts, mostly for
credit cards, opened in his name. In one month alone in 1997, the
imposter opened 40 accounts.

Anthony Maurice Phillips was arrested in 1997 in Robbinsdale, Minn., for
credit card fraud involving Young\'s identity. He was released on bail,
and police believe he is now a fugitive, says Detective Ron Engblom.

\'\'This is the crime of the future,\'\' Engblom says. \'\'With the
advent of the computer, and everybody having credit, it\'s easy to
become somebody else. And it\'s easy to get away with it.\'\'

Today, Young carries police reports and credit agency documents to
confirm to stores and restaurants that he is really Marvin Young.

\'\'It\'s really hard,\'\' Young says. \'\'Sometimes I feel like I
can\'t even go out because people will assume his crimes are my
crimes.\'\'

**Stolen Identity Hostages Thieves Cash In On Others\' Names, Credit And
Future (Continued)**

**[TIPS HELP KEEP IDENTITY YOUR OWN]{.underline}**

Some tips for preventing identity theft from the Privacy Rights
Clearinghouse (www.privacyrights.org):

1.  Carry your Social Security card, birth certificate or passport only
    when you know you\'ll need them; don\'t carry extra credit cards.

2.  Remove your name from the marketing lists of credit reporting
    bureaus Equifax, Experian and Trans Union by calling 1-888-567-8688.

3.  Sign up for the Direct Marketing Association\'s Mail Preference
    Service (P.O. Box 9008, Farmingdale, N.Y. 11735) and the Telephone
    Preference Service (P.O. Box 9014, Farmingdale, N.Y. 11735) to have
    your name deleted from marketers\' customer lists.

4.  Have your name removed from phone books and reverse directories.

5.  Install a locked mailbox at your home to foil thieves, or rent a
    post office box.

6.  When ordering new checks, pick them up at the bank instead of having
    them sent to your home.

7.  When you pay bills, don\'t leave the envelopes in your mailbox for
    the postal carrier to pick up. If stolen, checks can be altered and
    cashed.

8.  Reduce the number of credit cards you carry and use to a bare
    minimum.

9.  Keep a list of your credit cards, account numbers, expiration dates
    and telephone numbers of customer service departments in a safe
    place so you can find them quickly if cards are stolen.

10. Never give your credit card number or other personal information
    over the phone unless you have a trusted business relationship with
    the company and

11. you have placed the call.

12. Order your credit report once a year from each of the three credit
    bureaus above to check for inaccuracies and fraudulent use of your
    accounts.

13. Always take credit card receipts with you. Mutilate them before
    tossing them in the trash at home.

14. Watch the mail when you expect a new or reissued credit card.
    Contact the issuer immediately if the card doesn\'t arrive.

# ![](media/image1.png)The Information Age and Child Support Crossword Puzzle 

**The Information Age and Child Support Crossword Puzzle (Continued)**

**ACROSS**

3.  Every state must have an\_\_\_\_\_ \_\_\_\_\_\_ (2 words).

```{=html}
<!-- -->
```
6.  Federal child support office abbreviated.

```{=html}
<!-- -->
```
8.  Abbreviation for the database of national child support cases and
    orders.

9.  Word used to protect your user ID.

```{=html}
<!-- -->
```
11. Data warehouse for medical information (3 words).

```{=html}
<!-- -->
```
14. Abbreviation for the national database for new hire information.

15. \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ is everyone\'s responsibility

16. Abbreviation for the Federal Parent Locator Service.

17. Storing of many individual pieces of personal information to
    assemble a composite.

    **DOWN**

```{=html}
<!-- -->
```
1.  FPLS\'s continuous comparison of FCR and NDNH data (2 words).

2.  The federal case registry is a\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ of child support
    cases and orders.

> 4\. Electronic messaging system.

5.  A major downside of the Information Age (3 words).

```{=html}
<!-- -->
```
7.  The Information Super Highway.

```{=html}
<!-- -->
```
10. One of the many new online opportunities that handles transfers of
    funds, automatic bill paying, and account balance information.

11. Abbreviation for 11 across

12. The fastest growing crime in America.

13. Every child support worker must guard against the \_\_\_\_\_ \_\_
    \_\_\_ (3 words).

# Social Security Act §453

SEC. 453. \[42 U.S.C. 653\] (a)(1)\[320\] The Secretary shall establish
and conduct a Federal\[321\] Parent Locator Service, under the direction
of the designee of the Secretary referred to in section 452(a), which
shall be used for the purposes specified in paragraphs (2) and (3).

\(2\) For the purpose of establishing parentage or\[322\] establishing,
setting the amount of, modifying, or enforcing child support
obligations,\[323\] the Federal Parent Locator Service shall obtain and
transmit to any authorized person specified in subsection (c)\--

\(A\) information on, or facilitating the discovery of, the location of
any individual\--

\(i\) who is under an obligation to pay child support;

\(ii\) against whom such an obligation is sought; \[324\]

\(iii\) to whom such an obligation is owed, including the individual\'s
social security number (or numbers),

most recent address, and the name, address, and employer identification
number of the individual\'s employer; or\[325\]

\(iv\) who has or may have parental rights with respect to a
child,\[326\]

\(B\) information on the individual\'s wages (or other income) from, and
benefits of, employment (including rights to or enrollment in group
health care coverage); and

\(C\) information on the type, status, location, and amount of any
assets of, or debts owed by or to, any such individual.

\(3\) For the purpose of enforcing any Federal or State law with respect
to the unlawful taking or restraint of a child, or making or enforcing a
child custody or visitation determination, as defined in section
463(d)(1), the Federal Parent Locator Service shall be used to obtain
and transmit the information specified in section 463(c) to the
authorized persons pecified in section 463(d)(2).\[327\]

(b)(1) Upon request, filed in accordance with subsection (d), of any
authorized person, as defined in subsection (c) for the information
described in subsection (a)(2), or of any authorized person, as defined
in section 463(d)(2) for the information described in section 463(c),
the Secretary shall, notwithstanding any other provision of law, provide
through the Federal Parent Locator Service such information to such
person, if such information\--

\(A\) is contained in any files or records maintained by the Secretary
or by the Department of Health and Human Services; or

\(B\) is not contained in such files or records, but can be obtained by
the Secretary, under the authority conferred by subsection (e), from any
other department, agency, or instrumentality of the United States or of
any State, andis not prohibited from disclosure under paragraph (2).

\(2\) No information shall be disclosed to any person if the disclosure
of such information would contravene the national policy or security
interests of the United States or the confidentiality of census data.
The Secretary shall give priority to requests made by any authorized
person described in subsection (c)(1). No information shall be disclosed
to any person if the State has notified the Secretary that the State has
reasonable evidence of domestic violence or child abuse and the
disclosure of such information could be harmful to the custodial parent
or the child of such parent, provided that\--

\(A\) in response to a request from an authorized person (as defined in
subsection (c) of this section and section 463(d)(2)), the Secretary
shall advise the authorized person that the Secretary has been notified
that there is reasonable evidence of domestic violence or child abuse
and that information can only be disclosed to a court or an agent of a
court pursuant to subparagraph (B); and

**Social Security Act §453(Continued)**

\(B\) information may be disclosed to a court or an agent of a court
described in subsection (c)(2) of this section or section 463(d)(2)(B),
if\--

\(i\) upon receipt of information from the Secretary, the court
determines whether disclosure to any other person of that information
could be harmful to the parent or the child; and

\(ii\) if the court determines that disclosure of such information to
any other person could be harmful, the court and its agents shall not
make any such disclosure.

\(3\) Information received or transmitted pursuant to this section shall
be subject to the safeguard provisions contained in section
454(26).\[328\]

\(c\) As used in subsection (a), the term \"authorized person\" means\--

\(1\) any agent or attorney of any State having in effect a plan
approved under this part, who has the duty or authorityunder such plans
to seek to recover any amounts owed as child and spousal support or to
seek to enforce orders providing child custody or visitation
rights\[329\] (including, when authorized under the State plan, any
official of a political subdivision);

\(2\) the court which has authority to issue an order against a
noncustodial\[330\] parent for the support and maintenance of a child,
or to issue an order against a resident parent for child custody or
visitation rights, or any agent of such court; \[331\]

\(3\) the resident parent, legal guardian, attorney, or agent of a child
(other than a child receiving assistance under a State program funded
under part A\[332\]) (as determined by regulations prescribed by the
Secretary) without regard to the existence of a court order against a
noncustodial\[333\] parent who has a duty to support and maintain any
such child; and\[334\]

\(4\) a State agency that is administering a program operated under a
State plan under subpart 1 of part B, or a State plan approved under
subpart 2 of part B or under part E.\[335\]

\(d\) A request for information under this section shall be filed in
such manner and form as the Secretary shall by regulation prescribe and
shall be accompanied or supported by such documents as the Secretary may
determine to be necessary.

(e)(1) Whenever the Secretary receives a request submitted under
subsection (b) which he is reasonably satisfied meets the criteria
established by subsections (a), (b), and (c), he shall promptly
undertake to provide the information requested from the files and
records maintained by any of the departments, agencies, or
instrumentalities of the United States or of any State.

**Social Security Act §453(Continued)**

\(2\) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, whenever the
individual who is the head of any department, agency, or instrumentality
of the United States receives a request from the Secretary for
information authorized to be provided by the Secretary under this
section, such individual shall promptly cause a search to be made of the
files and records maintained by such department, agency, or
instrumentality with a view to determining whether the information
requested is contained in any such files or records. If such search
discloses the information requested, such individual shall immediately
transmit such information to the Secretary, except that if any
information is obtained the disclosure of which would contravene
national policy or security interests of the United States or the
confidentiality of census data, such information shall not be
transmitted and such individual shall immediately notify the Secretary.
If such search fails to disclose the information requested, such
individual shall immediately so notify the Secretary. The costs incurred
by any such department, agency, or instrumentality of the United States
or of any State in providing such information to the Secretary shall be
reimbursed by him in an amount which the Secretary determines to be
reasonable payment for the information exchange (which amount shall not
include payment for the costs of obtaining, compiling, or maintaining
the information)\[336\]. Whenever such services are furnished to an
individual specified in subsection (c)(3), a fee shall be charged such
individual. The fee so charged shall be used to reimburse the Secretary
or his delegate for the expense of providing such services.

\(3\) The Secretary of Labor shall enter into an agreement with the
Secretary to provide prompt access for the Secretary (in accordance with
this subsection) to the wage and unemployment compensation claims
information and data maintained by or for the Department of Labor or
State employment security agencies.

\(f\) The Secretary, in carrying out his duties and functions under this
section, shall enter into arrangements with State agencies administering
State plans approved under this part for such State agencies to accept
from resident parents, legal guardians, or agents of a child described
in subsection (c)(3) and to transmit to the Secretary requests for
information with regard to the

whereabouts of noncustodial\[337\] parents and otherwise to cooperate
with the Secretary in carrying out the purposes of this section.

\(g\) REIMBURSEMENT FOR REPORTS BY STATE AGENCIES.\--The Secretary may
reimburse Federal and State agencies for the costs incurred by such
entities in furnishing information requested by the Secretary under this
section in an amount which the Secretary determines to be reasonable
payment for the information exchange (which amount shall not include
payment for the costs of obtaining, compiling, or maintaining the
information).\[338\]

(h)\[339\] FEDERAL CASE REGISTRY OF CHILD SUPPORT ORDERS.\--

\(1\) IN GENERAL.\--Not later than October 1, 1998, in order to assist
States in administering programs under State plans approved under this
part and programs funded under part A, and for the other purposes
specified in this section, the Secretary shall establish and maintain in
the Federal Parent Locator Service an automated registry (which shall be
known as the \"Federal Case Registry of Child Support Orders\"), which
shall contain abstracts of support orders and other information
described in paragraph (2) with respect to each case and order\[340\] in
each State case registry maintained pursuant to section 454A(e), as
furnished (and regularly updated), pursuant to section 454A(f), by State
agencies administering programs under this part.

**Social Security Act §453(Continued)**

\(2\) CASE AND ORDER\[341\] INFORMATION. \--The information referred to
in paragraph (1) with respect to a case or an order\[342\] shall be such
information as the Secretary may specify in regulations (including the
names, social security numbers or other uniform identification numbers,
and State case identification numbers) to identify the individuals who
owe or are owed support (or with respect to or on behalf of whom support
obligations are sought to be established), and the State or States which
have the case or order\[343\]. Beginning not later than October 1, 1999,
the information referred to in paragraph (1) shall include the names and
social security numbers of the children of such individuals.\[344\]

\(3\) ADMINISTRATION OF FEDERAL TAX LAWS.\--The Secretary of the
Treasury shall have access to the information described in paragraph (2)
for the purpose of administering those sections of the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986 which grant tax benefits based on support or residence of
children.\[345\]

\(i\) NATIONAL DIRECTORY OF NEW HIRES\[346\].\--

\(1\) IN GENERAL.\--In order to assist States in administering programs
under State plans approved under this part and programs funded under
part A, and for the other purposes specified in this section, the
Secretary shall, not later than

October 1, 1997, establish and maintain in the Federal Parent Locator
Service an automated directory to be known as the National Directory of
New Hires, which shall contain the information supplied pursuant to
section 453A(g)(2).

\(2\) \[347\] ENTRY OF DATA.\--Information shall be entered into the
data base maintained by the National Directory of New Hires within 2
business days of receipt pursuant to section 453A(g)(2).

\(3\) ADMINISTRATION OF FEDERAL TAX LAWS.\--The Secretary of the
Treasury shall have access to the information in the National Directory
of New Hires for purposes of administering section 32 of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, or the advance payment of the earned income tax
credit under section 3507 of such Code, and verifying a claim with
respect to employment in a tax return.

\(4\) LIST OF MULTISTATE EMPLOYERS.\--The Secretary shall maintain
within the National Directory of New Hires a list of multistate
employers that report information regarding newly hired employees
pursuant to section 453A(b)(1)(B), and the State which each such
employer has designated to receive such information.

\(j\) INFORMATION COMPARISONS AND OTHER DISCLOSURES.\--

\(1\) VERIFICATION BY SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION.\--

\(A\) IN GENERAL.\--The Secretary shall transmit information on
individuals and employers maintained under this section to the Social
Security Administration to the extent necessary for verification in
accordance with subparagraph (B).

\(B\) VERIFICATION BY SSA.\--The Social Security Administration shall
verify the accuracy of, correct, or supply to the extent possible, and
report to the Secretary, the following information supplied by the
Secretary pursuant to subparagraph (A):

\(i\) The name, social security number, and birth date of each such
individual.

\(ii\) The employer identification number of each such employer.

\(2\) INFORMATION COMPARISONS.\--For the purpose of locating individuals
in a paternity establishment case or a case involving the establishment,
modification, or enforcement of a support order, the Secretary shall\--

(A) compare information in the National Directory of New Hires against
    information in the support case abstracts in the Federal Case
    Registry of Child Support Orders not less often than every 2
    business days; and

> \(B\) within 2 business days after such a comparison reveals a match
> with respect to an individual, report the information to the State
> agency responsible for the case.

**Social Security Act §453(Continued)**

\(3\) INFORMATION COMPARISONS AND DISCLOSURES OF INFORMATION IN ALL
REGISTRIES FOR TITLE IV PROGRAM

PURPOSES.\--To the extent and with the frequency that the Secretary
determines to be effective in assisting States to carry out their
responsibilities under programs operated under this part and programs
funded under part A, the Secretary shall\--

\(A\) compare the information in each component of the Federal Parent
Locator Service maintained under this section against the information in
each other such component (other than the comparison required by
paragraph

(2)), and report instances in which such a comparison reveals a match
with respect to an individual to State

agencies operating such programs; and

\(B\) disclose information in such components\[348\] to such State
agencies.

\(4\) PROVISION OF NEW HIRE INFORMATION TO THE SOCIAL SECURITY
ADMINISTRATION.\--The National Directory of New Hires shall provide the
Commissioner of Social Security with all information in the National
Directory.

\(5\) RESEARCH.\--The Secretary may provide access to data in each
component of the Federal Parent Locator Service maintained under this
section to\[349\] information reported by employers pursuant to section
453A(b) for research purposes found by the Secretary to be likely to
contribute to achieving the purposes of part A or this part, but without
personal identifiers.

\(k\) FEES.\--

\(1\) FOR SSA VERIFICATION.\--The Secretary shall reimburse the
Commissioner of Social Security, at a rate negotiated between the
Secretary and the Commissioner, for the costs incurred by the
Commissioner in performing the verification services described in
subsection (j).

\(2\) FOR INFORMATION FROM STATE DIRECTORIES OF NEW HIRES.\--The
Secretary shall reimburse costs incurred by State directories of new
hires in furnishing information as required by section
453A(g)(2)\[350\], at rates which the Secretary determines to be
reasonable (which rates shall not include payment for the costs of
obtaining, compiling, or maintaining such information).

\(3\) FOR INFORMATION FURNISHED TO STATE AND FEDERAL AGENCIES.\--A State
or Federal agency that receives information from the Secretary pursuant
to this section shall reimburse the Secretary for costs incurred by the
Secretary in furnishing the information, at rates which the Secretary
determines to be reasonable (which rates shall include payment for the
costs of obtaining, verifying, maintaining, and comparing the
information).

\(l\) RESTRICTION ON DISCLOSURE AND USE.\--Information\[351\] in the
Federal Parent Locator Service, and information resulting from
comparisons using such information, shall not be used or disclosed
except as expressly provided in this section, subject to section 6103 of
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.

\(m\) INFORMATION INTEGRITY AND SECURITY.\--The Secretary shall
establish and implement safeguards with respect to the entities
established under this section designed to\--

**Social Security Act §453(Continued)**

(1) ensure the accuracy and completeness of information in the Federal
    Parent Locator Service; and

\(2\) restrict access to confidential information in the Federal Parent
Locator Service to authorized persons, and restrict use of such
information to authorized purposes.

\(n\) FEDERAL GOVERNMENT REPORTING.\--Each department, agency, and
instrumentality of the United States shall on a quarterly basis report
to the Federal Parent Locator Service the name and social security
number of each employee and the wages paid to the employee during the
previous quarter, except that such a report shall not be filed with
respect to an employee of a

department, agency, or instrumentality performing intelligence or
counter-intelligence functions, if the head of such department, agency,
or instrumentality has determined that filing such a report could
endanger the safety of the employee or compromise an ongoing
investigation or intelligence mission.\[352\]

\(o\) USE OF SET-ASIDE FUNDS\[353\].\--Out of any money in the Treasury
of the United States not otherwise appropriated, there is hereby
appropriated to the Secretary for each fiscal year an amount equal to 2
percent of the total amount paid to the Federal government pursuant to a
plan approved under this part\[354\] during the immediately preceding
fiscal year (as determined on the

basis of the most recent reliable data available to the Secretary as of
the end of the third calendar quarter following the end of such
preceding fiscal year), which shall be available for use by the
Secretary, either directly or through grants, contracts, or interagency
agreements,\[355\] for operation of the Federal Parent Locator Service
under this section, to the extent such costs are

not recovered through user fees.\[356\] Amounts appropriated under this
subsection for each of fiscal years 1997 through 2001 shall remain
available until expended.\[357\]

\(p\) SUPPORT ORDER DEFINED.\--As used in this part, the term \"support
order\" means a judgment, decree, or order, whether temporary, final, or
subject to modification, issued by a court or an administrative agency
of competent jurisdiction, for the support and maintenance of a child,
including a child who has attained the age of majority under the law of
the issuing State, or

of\[358\] the parent with whom the child is living, which provides for
monetary support, health care, arrearages, or reimbursement, and which
may include related costs and fees, interest and penalties, income
withholding, attorneys\' fees, and other relief.\[359\]

\[319\] P.L. 104-193, §316(e)(2), added \"FEDERAL\". For the effective
date, see Vol. II, P.L. 104-193, §395.

\[320\] P.L. 105-33, §5534(a)(1)(A), inserted \"(1)\".

\[321\] P.L. 104-193, §316(e)(1), inserted \"Federal\". For the
effective date, see Vol. II, P.L. 104-193, §395.

\[322\] P.L. 105-200, §410(d)(1), struck out \"parentage,\" and
substituted \"parentage or\", effective July 16, 1998.

\[323\] P.L. 105-89, §105(1)(A), inserted \"or making or enforcing child
custody or visitation orders,\", effective November 19,1997.

**Social Security Act §453(Continued)**

P.L. 105-200, §410(d)(2), struck out \"or making or enforcing child
custody or visitation orders,\", effective July 16, 1998.

\[324\] P.L. 105-89, §105(a)(1)(B)(i), struck out \"or\".

\[325\] P.L. 105-89, §105(a)(1)(B)(ii), struck out, the comma (sic),
semicolon and substituted \"; or\".

\[326\] P.L. 105-89, §105(a)(1)(B)(iii), added clause (iv), effective
November 19, 1997.

P.L. 105-200, §410(d)(3), decreased the indentation of clause (iv) by 2
ems.

\[327\] P.L. 105-33, 5534(a)(1)(B), struck out \"to obtain\" and all
that follows through the period, and substituted \"for purposes
specified in paragraphs (2) and (3).\", and amended paragraphs (2) and
(3) in their entirety, effective as if included in the enactment of
title III of P.L. 104-193, August 22, 1996.

For \"to obtain\" and the matter that followed, and for paragraphs (2)
and (3) as they formerly read, see Vol. II, Superseded Provisions, P.L.
105-33.

\[328\] P.L. 105-33, §5534(a)(2), amended subsection (b) in its
entirety, effective as if included in the enactment of title III of P.L.
104-193, August 22, 1996. For subsection (b) as it formerly read, see
Vol. II, Superseded Provisions, P.L. 105-33.

\[329\] P.L. 104-193, §316(b)(1), struck out \"support\" and substituted
\"support or to seek to enforce orders providing child custody or
visitation rights\". For the effective date, see Vol. II, P.L. 104-193,
§395.

\[330\] P.L. 104-193, §395(d)(2)(A), struck out \"an absent\" and
substituted \"a noncustodial\". For the effective date, see Vol. II,
P.L. 104-193, §395.

\[331\] P.L. 104-193, §316(b)(2), struck out \"or any agent of such
court; and\" and substituted \"or to issue an order against a resident
parent for child custody or visitation rights, or any agent of such
court;\". For the effective date, see Vol. II, P.L.

104-193, §395.

\[332\] P.L. 104-193, §108(c)(10), struck out \"aid under part A of this
title\" and substituted \"assistance under a State program funded under
part A\", effective July 1, 1997.

\[333\] P.L. 104-193, §395(d)(2)(A), struck out \"an absent\" and
substituted \"a noncustodial\". For the effective date, see Vol. II,
P.L. 104-193, §395.

\[334\] P.L. 105-89, §105(2)(A), struck out the period and substituted
\"; and\".

\[335\] P.L. 105-89, §105(2)(B), added paragraph (4), effective November
19, 1997.

\[336\] P.L. 104-193, §316(c), inserted \"in an amount which the
Secretary determines to be reasonable payment for the information
exchange (which amount shall not include payment for the costs of
obtaining, compiling, or maintaining the information)\". For the
effective date, see Vol. II, P.L. 104-193, §395.

\[337\] P.L. 104-193, §395(d)(2)(C), struck out \"absent\" and
substituted \"noncustodial\". For the effective date, see Vol. II, P.L.
104-193, §395(a), (b), and (c).

**Social Security Act §453(Continued)**

\[338\] P.L. 104-193, §316(d), added subsection (g). For the effective
date, see Vol. II, P.L. 104-193, §395.

\[339\] See Vol. II, P.L. 105-34, §1090(a)(3), with respect to
coordination between the Secretaries of the Treasury and Health and
Human Services on issues resulting from the amendments made by P.L.
105-34, §1090(a).

\[340\] P.L. 105-33, §5553(1), added \"and order\", effective as if
included in the enactment of title III of P.L. 104-193, August 22, 1996.

\[341\] P.L. 105-33, §5553(2)(A), added \"AND ORDER\", effective as if
included in the enactment of title III of P.L. 104-193, August 22, 1996.

\[342\] P.L. 105-33, §5553(2)(B), added \"or an order\", effective as if
included in the enactment of title III of P.L. 104-193, August 22, 1996.

\[343\] P.L. 105-33, §5553(2)(C), added \"or order\", effective as if
included in the enactment of title III of P.L. 104-193, August 22, 1996.

\[344\] P.L. 105-34, §1090(a)(2)(A), added \"Beginning not later than
October 1, 1999, the information referred to in paragraph (1) shall
include the names and social security numbers of the children of such
individuals.\", effective October 1, 1998.

See Vol. II, P.L. 105-34, §1090(a)(3), with respect to consultation and
reports required with regard to implementation issues.

\[345\] P.L. 105-34, §1090(a)(2)(B), added paragraph (3), effective
October 1, 1998.

See Vol. II, P.L. 105-200, §402(c), with respect to notice of purposes
for which wage and salary data are to be used and §402(d), with respect
to a report on the accuracy of data maintained by the National Directory
of New Hires.

\[346\] See Vol. II, P.L. 104-193, §316(h), with respect to a
requirement for cooperation in development of methods to access the
various directories for new hires.

\[347\] P.L. 105-200, §402(b), amended paragraph (2) to read:

\"(2) DATA ENTRY AND DELETION REQUIREMENTS.\--

\(A\) IN GENERAL.\--Information provided pursuant to section 453A(g)(2)
shall be entered into the data base maintained by the National Directory
of New Hires within two business days after receipt, and shall be
deleted from the data base 24 months after the date of entry.

\(B\) 12-MONTH LIMIT ON ACCESS TO WAGE AND UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION
INFORMATION.\--The Secretary shall not have access for child support
enforcement purposes to information in the National Directory of New
Hires that is provided

pursuant to section 453A(g)(2)(B), if 12 months has elapsed since the
date the information is so provided and there has not been a match
resulting from the use of such information in any information comparison
under this subsection.

**Social Security Act §453(Continued)**

\(C\) RETENTION OF DATA FOR RESEARCH PURPOSES.\--Notwithstanding
subparagraphs (A) and (B), the Secretary may retain such samples of data
entered in the National Directory of New Hires as the Secretary may find
necessary to assist in carrying out subsection (j)(5).\", to take effect
on October 1, 2000.

\[348\] P.L. 105-33, §5535(b)(1), struck out \"registries\" and
substituted \"components\", effective as if included in the enactment of
title III of P.L. 104-193, August 22, 1996.

\[349\] P.L. 105-33, §5535(a), added \"data in each component of the
Federal Parent Locator Service maintained under this section and to\",
effective as if included in the enactment of title III of P.L. 104-193,
August 22, 1996.

\[350\] P.L. 105-33, §5535(b)(2), struck out \"subsection (j)(3)\" and
substituted \"section 453A(g)(2)\", effective as if included in the
enactment of title III of P.L. 104-193, August 22, 1996.

\[351\] P.L. 105-200, §402(a)(1), provided that \"Information\" be
stricken and substituted with \"(1) IN GENERAL.\--Information\", to take
effect on October 1, 2000. §402(a)(2) added a new paragraph (2): \"(2)
PENALTY FOR MISUSE OF INFORMATION IN THE NATIONAL DIRECTORY OF NEW
HIRES.\--The Secretary shall require the imposition of an administrative
penalty (up to and including dismissal from employment), and a fine of
\$1,000, for each act of unauthorized access to, disclosure of, or use
of, information in the National Directory of New Hires established under
subsection (i) by any officer or employee of the United States who
knowingly and willfully violates this paragraph.\", to take effect on
October 1, 2000.

\[352\] P.L. 104-193, §316(f), added subsections (h), (i), (j), (k),
(l), (m), and (n). For the effective date, see Vol. II, P.L. 104-193,
§395.

\[353\] P.L. 105-33, §5541(b)(1)(A), struck out \"RECOVERY OF COSTS\"
and substituted \"USE OF SET-ASIDE FUNDS\", effective as if included in
the enactment of title III of P.L. 104-193, August 22, 1996.

\[354\] P.L. 104-208, §215 (Title II - HHS), struck out \"section
457(a)\" and substituted \"a plan approved under this part\". Amounts
available under subsection (o), as added by P.L. 104-193, §345, shall be
calculated as though §345 were effective October 1, 1995.

P.L. 105-33, §5556(c), amended P.L. 104-208, §215 to read \"by striking
\`section 457(a)\' and inserting \`a plan approved under this part\'.
Amounts available under such sections 452(j) and 453(o) shall be
calculated as though the amendments made by this section were effective
October 1, 1995.\", effective as if included in P.L. 104-208, §215.

\[355\] P.L. 105-33, §5541(b)(1)(B), struck out \"to cover costs
incurred by the Secretary\" and substituted \"which shall be available
for use by the Secretary, either directly or through grants, contracts,
or interagency agreements,\", effective as if included in the enactment
of title III of P.L. 104-193, August 22, 1996.

\[356\] P.L. 104-193, §345(b), added subsection (o). For the effective
date, see P.L. 104-193, §395.

\[357\] P.L. 105-33, §5541(b)(2), added \"Amounts appropriated under
this subsection for each of fiscal years 1997 through 2001 shall remain
available until expended.\", effective as if included in the enactment
of title III of P.L. 104-193, August 22,

1996\.

**Social Security Act §453(Continued)**

\[358\] P.L. 105-33, §5543, struck out \"a child and\" and substituted
\"of\", effective as if included in the enactment of title III of P.L.
104-193, August 22, 1996.

\[359\] P.L. 104-193, §366, added subsection (p). For the effective
date, see P.L. 104-193, §395.

**Social Security Act §453A**

SEC. 453A. \[42 U.S.C. 653a\] (a) ESTABLISHMENT.\--

\(1\) IN GENERAL.\--

\(A\) REQUIREMENT FOR STATES THAT HAVE NO DIRECTORY.\--Except as
provided in subparagraph (B), not later than October 1, 1997, each State
shall establish an automated directory (to be known as the \"State
Directory of New Hires\") which shall contain information supplied in
accordance with subsection (b) by employers on each newly hired
employee.

\(B\) STATES WITH NEW HIRE REPORTING LAW IN EXISTENCE.\--A State which
has a new hire reporting law in existence on the date of the enactment
of this section may continue to operate under the State law, but the
State must meet the requirements of subsection (g)(2) not later than
October 1, 1997, and the requirements of this section (other than
subsection (g)(2)) not later than October 1, 1998.

\(2\) DEFINITIONS.\--As used in this section:

\(A\) EMPLOYEES.\--The term \"employee\"\--

\(i\) means an individual who is an employee within the meaning of
chapter 24 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986; and

\(ii\) does not include an employee of a Federal or State agency
performing intelligence or counterintelligence functions, if the head of
such agency has determined that reporting pursuant to paragraph (1) with
respect to the employee could endanger the safety of the employee or
compromise an ongoing investigation or intelligence mission.

\(B\) EMPLOYER.\--

\(i\) IN GENERAL.\--The term \"employer\" has the meaning given such
term in section 3401(d) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and
includes any governmental entity and any labor organization.

\(ii\) LABOR ORGANIZATION.\--The term \"labor organization\" shall have
the meaning given such term in section 2(5) of the National Labor
Relations Act, and includes any entity (also known as a \"hiring
hall\")which is used by the organization and an employer to carry out
requirements described in section 8(f)(3) of such Act of an agreement
between the organization and the employer.

\(b\) EMPLOYER INFORMATION.\--

\(1\) REPORTING REQUIREMENT.\--

\(A\) IN GENERAL.\--Except as provided in subparagraphs (B) and (C),
each employer shall furnish to the Directory of New Hires of the State
in which a newly hired employee works, a report that contains the name,
address, and social security number of the employee, and the name and
address of, and identifying number assigned under section 6109 of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to, the employer.

# Social Security Act §453A

\(B\) MULTISTATE EMPLOYERS.\--An employer that has employees who are
employed in 2 or more States and that transmits reports magnetically or
electronically may comply with subparagraph (A) by designating 1 State
in which such employer has employees to which the employer will transmit
the report described in subparagraph (A), and transmitting such report
to such State. Any employer that transmits reports pursuant to this
subparagraph shall notify the Secretary in writing as to which State
such employer designates for the purpose of sending reports.

\(C\) FEDERAL GOVERNMENT EMPLOYERS.\--Any department, agency, or
instrumentality of the United States shall comply with subparagraph (A)
by transmitting the report described in subparagraph (A) to the National
Directory of New Hires established pursuant to section 453.

\(2\) TIMING OF REPORT.\--Each State may provide the time within which
the report required by paragraph (1) shall be made with respect to an
employee, but such report shall be made\--

\(A\) not later than 20 days after the date the employer hires the
employee; or

\(B\) in the case of an employer transmitting reports magnetically or
electronically, by 2 monthly transmissions (if necessary) not less than
12 days nor more than 16 days apart.

\(c\) REPORTING FORMAT AND METHOD.\--Each report required by subsection
(b) shall be made on a W-4 form or, at the option of the employer, an
equivalent form, and may be transmitted by 1st class mail, magnetically,
or electronically.

\(d\) CIVIL MONEY PENALTIES ON NONCOMPLYING EMPLOYERS.\--The State shall
have the option to set a State civil money

penalty which shall not exceed\[361\]\--

\(1\) \$25 per failure to meet the requirements of this section with
respect to a newly hired employee\[362\]; or

\(2\) \$500 if, under State law, the failure is the result of a
conspiracy between the employer and the employee to not

supply the required report or to supply a false or incomplete report.

\(e\) ENTRY OF EMPLOYER INFORMATION.\--Information shall be entered into
the data base maintained by the State Directory of New Hires within 5
business days of receipt from an employer pursuant to subsection (b).

\(f\) INFORMATION COMPARISONS.\--

\(1\) IN GENERAL.\--Not later than May 1, 1998, an agency designated by
the State shall, directly or by contract, conduct automated comparisons
of the social security numbers reported by employers pursuant to
subsection (b) and the social security numbers appearing in the records
of the State case registry for cases being enforced under the State
plan.

\(2\) NOTICE OF MATCH.\--When an information comparison conducted under
paragraph (1) reveals a match with respect to the social security number
of an individual required to provide support under a support order, the
State Directory of New Hires shall provide the agency administering the
State plan approved under this part of the appropriate State with the
name, address, and social security number of the employee to whom the
social security number is assigned, and the name and address of, and
identifying number assigned under section 6109 of the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986 to, the employer.

**Social Security Act §453A(Continued)**

\(g\) TRANSMISSION OF INFORMATION.\--

\(1\) TRANSMISSION OF WAGE WITHHOLDING NOTICES TO EMPLOYERS.\--Within 2
business days after the date information regarding a newly hired
employee is entered into the State Directory of New Hires, the State
agency enforcing the employee\'s child support obligation shall transmit
a notice to the employer of the employee directing the employer to
withhold from the income of the employee an amount equal to the monthly
(or other periodic) child support obligation (including any past due
support obligation) of the employee, unless the employee\'s income is
not subject to withholding pursuant to section 466(b)(3).

\(2\) TRANSMISSIONS TO THE NATIONAL DIRECTORY OF NEW HIRES.\--

\(A\) NEW HIRE INFORMATION.\--Within 3 business days after the date
information regarding a newly hired employee is entered into the State
Directory of New Hires, the State Directory of New Hires shall furnish
the information to the National Directory of New Hires.

\(B\) WAGE AND UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION INFORMATION.\--The State
Directory of New Hires shall, on a quarterly basis, furnish to the
National Directory of New Hires information\[363\] concerning the wages
and unemployment compensation paid to individuals, by such dates, in
such format, and containing such information as the Secretary of Health
and Human Services shall specify in regulations.

\(3\) BUSINESS DAY DEFINED.\--As used in this subsection, the term
\"business day\" means a day on which State offices are open for regular
business.

\(h\) OTHER USES OF NEW HIRE INFORMATION.\--

\(1\) LOCATION OF CHILD SUPPORT OBLIGORS.\--The agency administering the
State plan approved under this part shall use information received
pursuant to subsection (f)(2) to locate individuals for purposes of
establishing paternity and establishing, modifying, and enforcing child
support obligations, and may disclose such information to any agent of
the

agency that is under contract with the agency to carry out such
purposes.

\(2\) VERIFICATION OF ELIGIBILITY FOR CERTAIN PROGRAMS.\--A State agency
responsible for administering a program specified in section 1137(b)
shall have access to information reported by employers pursuant to
subsection (b) of this section for purposes of verifying eligibility for
the program.

\(3\) ADMINISTRATION OF EMPLOYMENT SECURITY AND WORKERS\'
COMPENSATION.\--State agencies operating employment security and
workers\' compensation programs shall have access to information
reported by employers pursuant to subsection (b) for the purposes of
administering such programs.

\[360\] P.L. 104-193, §313(b), added §453A. For the effective date, see
Vol. II, P.L. 104-193, §395.

See Vol. II, P.L. 104-193, §316(h), with respect to a requirement for
cooperation in development of methods to access the various directories
of new hires.

\[361\] P.L. 105-33, §5533(1)(A), struck out \"shall be less than\" and
substituted \"shall not exceed\", effective as if included in the
enactment of title III of P.L. 104-193, August 22, 1996.

**Social Security Act §453A(Continued)**

\[362\] P.L. 105-33, §5533(1)(B), struck out \"\$25\" and substituted
\"\$25 per failure to meet the requirements of this section with respect
to a newly hired employee\", effective as if included in the enactment
of title III of P.L. 104-193, August 22, 1996.

\[363\] P.L. 105-33, §5533(2), struck out \"extracts of the reports
required under section 303(a)(6) to be made to the Secretary of Labor\"
and substituted \"information\", effective as if included in the
enactment of title III of P.L. 104-193, August 22, 1996.

# Social Security Act §463

USE OF FEDERAL PARENT LOCATOR SERVICE IN CONNECTION WITH THE ENFORCEMENT
OR DETERMINATION OF CHILD CUSTODY AND IN CASES OF PARENTAL KIDNAPING OF
A CHILD

SEC. 463. \[42 U.S.C. 663\] (a) The Secretary shall enter into an
agreement with every State\[530\] under which the services of the
Federal\[531\] Parent Locator Service established under section 453
shall be made available to each State\[532\] for the purpose of
determining the whereabouts of any \[533\] parent or child when such
information is to be used to locate such parent or child for

the purpose of\--

\(1\) enforcing any State or Federal law with respect to the unlawful
taking or restraint of a child; or

\(2\) making or enforcing a child custody or visitation\[534\]
determination.

\(b\) An agreement entered into under subsection (a) shall provide that
the State agency described in section 454 will, under procedures
prescribed by the Secretary in regulations, receive and transmit to the
Secretary requests from authorized persons for information as to (or
useful in determining) the whereabouts of any \[535\] parent or child
when such information is to be used

to locate such parent or child for the purpose of\--

\(1\) enforcing any State or Federal law with respect to the unlawful
taking or restraint of a child; or

\(2\) making or enforcing a child custody or visitation\[536\]
determination.

\(c\) Information authorized to be provided by the Secretary under
subsection (a), (b), (e), or (f) shall be subject to the same conditions
with respect to disclosure as information authorized to be provided
under section 453, and a request for information by the Secretary under
this section shall be considered to be a request for information under
section 453 which is authorized to

be provided under such section. Only information as to the most recent
address and place of employment of any \[537\] parent or child shall be
provided under this section.

\(d\) For purposes of this section\--

\(1\) the term \"custody or visitation\[538\] determination\" means a
judgment, decree, or other order of a court providing for the custody or
visitation of a child, and includes permanent and temporary orders, and
initial orders and modification;

\(2\) the term \"authorized person\" means\--

\(A\) any agent or attorney of any State having an agreement under this
section, who has the duty or authority under

the law of such State to enforce a child custody or visitation\[539\]
determination;

\(B\) any court having jurisdiction to make or enforce such a child
custody or visitation\[540\] determination, or any

agent of such court; and

\(C\) any agent or attorney of the United States, or of a State having
an agreement under this section, who has the duty or authority to
investigate, enforce, or bring a prosecution with respect to the
unlawful taking or restraint of a child.

**Social Security Act §463 (Continued)**

\(e\) The Secretary shall enter into an agreement with the Central
Authority designated by the President in accordance with section 7 of
the International Child Abduction Remedies Act\[541\], under which the
services of the Federal\[542\] Parent Locator Service established under
section 453 shall be made available to such Central Authority upon its
request for the purpose of

locating any parent or child on behalf of an applicant to such Central
Authority within the meaning of section 3(1) of that Act.

The Federal\[543\] Parent Locator Service shall charge no fees for
services requested pursuant to this subsection.

\(f\) The Secretary shall enter into an agreement with the Attorney
General of the United States, under which the services of the
Federal\[544\] Parent Locator Service established under section 453
shall be made available to the Office of Juvenile Justice and
Delinquency Prevention upon its request to locate any parent or child on
behalf of such Office for the purpose of\--

\(1\) enforcing any State or Federal law with respect to the unlawful
taking or restraint of a child, or

\(2\) making or enforcing a child custody or visitation\[545\]
determination.

The Federal\[546\] Parent Locator Service shall charge no fees for
services requested pursuant to this subsection.

\[530\] P.L. 105-33, §5534(b)(1)(A)(i), struck out \"any State which is
able and willing to do so,\" and substituted \"every State\", effective
as if included in the enactment of title III of P.L. 104-193, August 22,
1996.

\[531\] P.L. 104-193, §316(e)(1), inserted \"Federal\". For the
effective date, see Vol. II, P.L. 104-193, §395.

\[532\] P.L. 105-33, §5534(b)(1)(A)(ii), struck out \"such State\" and
substituted \"each State\", effective as if included in the enactment of
title III of P.L. 104-193, August 22, 1996.

\[533\] P.L. 105-33, §5534(b)(5), struck out \"noncustodial\", effective
as if included in the enactment of title III of P.L. 104-193, August 22,
1996.

\[534\] P.L. 105-33, §5534(b)(1)(B), added \"or visitation\", effective
as if included in the enactment of title III of P.L. 104-193, August 22,
1996.

\[535\] P.L. 105-33, §5534(b)(5), struck out \"noncustodial\", effective
as if included in the enactment of title III of P.L. 104-193, August 22,
1996.

\[536\] P.L. 105-33, §5534(b)(2), added \"or visitation\", effective as
if included in the enactment of title III of P.L. 104-193, August 22,
1996.

\[537\] P.L. 105-33, §5534(b)(5), struck out \"noncustodial\", effective
as if included in the enactment of title III of P.L. 104-193, August 22,
1996.

\[538\] P.L. 105-33, §5534(b)(3)(A), added \"or visitation\", effective
as if included in the enactment of title III of P.L. 104-193, August 22,
1996.

\[539\] P.L. 105-33, §5534(b)(3)(B), added \"or visitation\", effective
as if included in the enactment of title III of P.L. 104-193, August 22,
1996.

**Social Security Act §463 (Continued)**

\[540\] P.L. 105-33, §5534(b)(3)(B), added \"or visitation\", effective
as if included in the enactment of title III of P.L. 104-193, August 22,
1996.

\[541\] See Vol. II, P.L. 100-300.

\[542\] P.L. 104-193, §316(e)(1), inserted \"Federal\". For the
effective date, see Vol. II, P.L. 104-193, §395.

\[543\] P.L. 104-193, §316(c)(1), inserted \"Federal\". For the
effective date, see Vol. II, P.L. 104-193, §395.

\[544\] P.L. 104-193, §316(e)(1), inserted \"Federal\". For the
effective date, see Vol. II, P.L. 104-193, §395.

\[545\] P.L. 105-33, §5534(b)(4), added \"or visitation\", effective as
if included in the enactment of title III of P.L. 104-193, August 22,
1996.

\[546\] P.L. 104-193, §316(e)(1), inserted \"Federal\". For the
effective date, see Vol. II, P.L. 104-193, §395.

# AT-99-09 JUN 16, 1999

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services\
Administration for Children & Families\
Office of Child Support Enforcement

TO: STATE AGENCIES ADMINISTERING CHILD SUPPORT ENFORCEMENT PLANS UNDER
TITLE IV-D OF THE SOCIAL SECURITY ACT AND OTHER INTERESTED INDIVIDUALS.

SUBJECT: Policy Questions and Responses Regarding Requests for
Information from the Federal Parent Locator Service under Title IV-D of
the Social Security Act.

BACKGROUND: Section 453 of the Social Security Act (the Act) requires
the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish and conduct a
Federal Parent Locator Service (FPLS), under the direction of the
Federal Office of Child Support Enforcement (OCSE), which shall be used
for the purposes specified in the statute.

The Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of
1996 (PRWORA) amended the Act to expand the FPLS to include two new
components. These components are the National Directory of New Hires
(NDNH) and the Federal Case Registry of Child Support Orders (FCR).
PRWORA also amended the Act to provide that specified entities may
request or obtain access to information from the FPLS.

The Balanced Budget Reconciliation Act of 1997, the Taxpayer Relief Act
of 1997 and the Adoption and Safe Families Act of 1997 further amended
the Act to permit additional entities to request or obtain access to
information in the FPLS. The Child Support Performance and Incentives
Act of 1998 amended the Act to include provisions related to the
retention and deletion of data in the NDNH and the imposition of
penalties for misuse of such data.

OCSE has received numerous inquiries from States and individuals
regarding access to and requests for information from the FPLS. The
purpose of this Action Transmittal is to inform the States and other
interested individuals and organizations of OCSE's response to these
questions.

Requests for information from the FPLS are generally governed by two
sections of the Social Security Act, Section 453 and Section 463. Part I
of the Action Transmittal addresses requests pursuant to Section 453 and
Part II addresses requests pursuant to Section 463 of the Act. The
Action Transmittal also discusses related sections of the Act as well as
the Federal regulations.

Part I addresses the following topics within the context of Section 453
of the Act, while Part II addresses the same topics within the context
of Section 463:

-   Who May Request Information from the FPLS?

-   For What Purposes May an \"Authorized Person\" Request Information
    from the FPLS?

-   How Must an \"Authorized Person\" Submit a Request for Information
    from the FPLS?

-   What Information May an \"Authorized Person\" Receive in Response to
    a Request for Information from the FPLS?

-   What Other Entities May Receive Information from the FPLS?

-   What Safeguarding Requirements Apply?

-   What Is the Fee for FPLS Services?

ATTACHMENT: Series of Questions and Answers regarding access to and
requests for information from the FPLS under Title IV-D of the Social
Security Act.

INQUIRIES TO: Regional Administrators, ACF/OCSE.

*David Gray Ross\
Commissioner\
Office of Child Support Enforcement*

**AT-99-09 JUN 16, 1999 (Continued)**

**Policy Questions and Responses Regarding**

**Requests for Information from the Federal Parent Locator Service**

**Table of Contents**

I.  REQUESTS FOR INFORMATION FROM THE FEDERAL PARENT LOCATOR SERVICE
    UNDER SECTION 453 OF THE ACT

    A. Who may Request Information from the FPLS under Section 453 of
    the Act?

```{=html}
<!-- -->
```
B.  For What Purposes May an "Authorized Person" Request Information
    from the FPLS under Section 453 of the Act?

C.  How Must an "Authorized Person" Submit a Request for Information
    form the FPLS under Section 453 of the Act?

D.  What Information May an "Authorized Person" Receive in Response to a
    Request for Information from the FPLS under Section 453 of the Act?

E.  What Other Entities May Receive Information from the FPLS under
    Section 453 of the Act?

F.  What Safeguarding Requirements Apply to Requests for Information
    under Section 453 of the Act?

G.  What is the Fee for FPLS Services Provided under Section 453 of the
    Act?

```{=html}
<!-- -->
```
II. REQUESTS FOR INFORMATION FROM THE FEDERAL PARENT LOCATOR SERVICE
    UNDER SECTION 453 OF THE ACT

```{=html}
<!-- -->
```
A.  Who May Request Information from the FPLS under Section 463 of the
    Act?

B.  For What Purposes May an "Authorized Person" Request Information
    from the FPLS under Section 453 of the Act?

C.  How Must an "Authorized Person" Submit a Request for Information
    from the FPLS under Section 463 of the Act?

D.  What Information May an "Authorized Person" Receive in Response to a
    Request for Information from the FPLS under Section 463 of the Act?

E.  What Other Entities May Receive Information from the FPLS under
    Section 463 of the Act?

F.  What Safeguarding Requirements Apply to Requests for Information
    under Section 463 of the Act?

G.  What is the Fee for FPLS Services Provided under Section 463 of the
    Act?

**AT-99-09 JUN 16, 1999 (Continued)**

I. REQUESTS FOR INFORMATION FROM THE FEDERAL PARENT LOCATOR SERVICE
UNDER SECTION 453 OF THE ACT

A. Who May Request Information from the FPLS under Section 453 of the
Act?

Question 1: Who may request information from the Federal Parent Locator
Service (FPLS) under Section 453 of the Act?

Answer 1: Section 453 of the Act permits an \"authorized person,\" as
that term is defined in subsection 453 (c), to request information from
the FPLS. Subsections 453 (h), (i) and (j) also permit access to or
disclosure of certain information maintained within the FPLS to other
specified entities. Part I of this Action Transmittal discusses requests
by \"authorized persons\" and by other entities under Section 453. Part
II discusses requests by \"authorized persons\" and other entities under
Section 463.

Question 2: How is the term \"authorized person\" defined in Section 453
of the Act?

Answer 2: Under subsection 453 (c), the term \"authorized person\" means
--

1.  any agent or attorney of any State having in effect a plan approved
    under this part, who has the duty or authority under such plans to
    seek to recover any amounts owed as child and spousal support
    (including, when authorized under the State plan, any official of a
    political subdivision);

```{=html}
<!-- -->
```
1.  the court which has authority to issue an order or to serve as the
    initiating court in an action to seek an order against a
    noncustodial parent for the support and maintenance of a child, or
    any agent of such court;

2.  the resident parent, legal guardian, attorney, or agent of a child
    (other than a child receiving aid under part A of this title) (as
    determined by regulations prescribed by the Secretary) without
    regard to the existence of a court order against a noncustodial
    parent who has a duty to support and maintain any such child;

3.  a State agency that is administering a program operated under a
    State plan under subpart 1 of part B, or a State plan approved under
    subpart 2 of part B or under part E of Title IV of the Social
    Security Act.

Question 3: For purposes of Section 453, does the term \"authorized
person\" include a private attorney seeking child support on behalf of a
child?

Answer 3: Yes. Under subsection 453 (c) (3), the term \"authorized
person\" includes the attorney or agent of a child, other than a child
receiving Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF), without regard
to the existence of a court order against a noncustodial parent who has
a duty to support and maintain any such child.

Question 4: For purposes of Section 453, to whom does the term
\"resident parent\" refer in the definition of \"authorized person\"?

Answer 4: The context within which the term is used throughout Title
IV-D of the Act indicates that the term \"resident parent\" in
subsection 453 (c) (3) means the custodial parent. For example, the term
\"resident parent\" is used in subsection 454 (11) (B), requiring that
the State plan \"provide that any payment required to be made under
section 456 or 457 of this title to a family shall be [made
to]{.underline} the [resident parent]{.underline}, legal guardian, or
caretaker relative [having custody of or responsibility for the child or
children]{.underline} . . . .\" Thus, the \"resident parent\" is the
person having custody or responsibility for the child or children and to
whom child support payments are made. The context makes it clear that
the term \"resident parent\" is synonymous with \"custodial parent\" for
purposes of Title IV-D.

**AT-99-09 JUN 16, 1999 (Continued)**

Question 5: Is a State foster care or child welfare agency an
\"authorized person\" within the meaning of Section 453?

Answer 5: Yes. State IV-E and IV-B agencies are \"authorized persons\"
within the meaning of Section 453. As added by Section 105 of the
Adoption and Safe Families Act of 1997 (ASFA) (P.L. 105-89), subsection
453 (c) (4) includes within the definition of \"authorized person\" a
State agency that is administering a program operated under a State plan
under subpart 1 of part B, or a State plan approved under subpart 2 of
part B or under part E of the Act. ASFA establishes permanency, safety
and well-being as national goals for children in the child welfare
system.

Subsection 453 (c) (4) permits a State IV-E or IV-B agency to request
information from the FPLS to locate or facilitate the discovery of an
individual who has or may have parental rights in order to make more
informed and timely decisions about permanency. Information obtained
from the FPLS will assist workers to identify and locate noncustodial
parents who may be interested in providing a permanent home for a child
in foster care. Even if a noncustodial parent is unable to provide a
home for the child, ruling out this alternative soon after a child's
placement into foster care will allow the agency to move expeditiously
toward adoption or another permanent placement. Further, a State can
gather information from noncustodial parents about relatives who may
want to provide a home for the child. [See]{.underline} OCSE-IM-99-01 or
ACYF-CB-IM-99-02, a single Information Memorandum jointly issued by both
agencies.

**AT-99-09 JUN 16, 1999 (Continued)**

Question 6: May an Indian Tribe or a Tribal organization request
information from the FPLS for the purposes authorized in Section 453 of
the Act?

Answer 6: Yes. A Tribe or a Tribal organization, if it meets the
definition of an \"authorized person\" in subsection 453 (c) (1) or (c)
(2) of the Act, may submit requests for FPLS information through the
State IV-D agency's State Parent Locator Service (SPLS) for an
\"authorized purpose\" under subsection 453 (a) (2). This topic will be
addressed in a forthcoming issuance by OCSE.

B. For What Purposes May an \"Authorized Person\" Request Information
from the FPLS under Section 453 of the Act?

Question 1: For what purposes may an \"authorized person,\" as defined
in subsection 453 (c) of the Act, request information from the FPLS?

Answer 1: Under subsection 453 (a) (2), an authorized person may request
information from the FPLS for the purpose of establishing parentage or
establishing, setting the amount of, modifying, or enforcing child
support obligations.

Note that an \"authorized person,\" as defined in subsection 453 (c) of
the Act, may request information from the FPLS only for the purposes
specified in Section 453 (a) (2) of the Act. A person authorized to
request information from the FPLS pursuant to Section 453 may not
request FPLS information for the purposes specified in Section 463 of
the Act, which are enforcing any State or Federal law with respect to
the unlawful taking or restraint of a child or making or enforcing a
child custody or visitation determination. The \"authorized persons\"
and \"authorized purposes\" in Section 453 and Section 463,
respectively, may not be \"mixed and matched.\"

Question 2: May information from the FPLS be requested for purposes of
international child support enforcement?

Answer 2: Yes. Section 459A of the Act authorizes the Secretary of
State, with the concurrence of the Secretary of Health and Human
Services, to declare any foreign country (or a political subdivision
thereof) to be a foreign reciprocating country if (1) the foreign
country has established, or undertakes to establish, procedures for the
establishment and enforcement of duties of support owed to obligees who
are residents of the United States, and (2) such procedures are
substantially in conformity with the standards prescribed under
subsection 459A (b) of the Act.

Subsection 459A (c) of the Act requires the Secretary of Health and
Human Services to facilitate support enforcement in cases involving
residents of the United States and residents of foreign countries that
are the subject of a declaration, as described above. Subsection 459A
(c) (2) includes among the Secretary's responsibilities notification of
foreign reciprocating countries of the State of residence of individuals
sought for support enforcement purposes, on the basis of information
provided by the FPLS.

C. How Must an \"Authorized Person\" Submit a Request for Information
from the FPLS under Section 453 of the Act?

**AT-99-09 JUN 16, 1999 (Continued)**

Question 1: How must an \"authorized person,\" as defined in subsection
453 (c) of the Act, submit a request for information from the FPLS?

Answer 1: The submittal of a request for information from the FPLS by an
\"authorized person\" for authorized purposes is governed by Federal law
and regulations and instructions issued by OCSE.

Subsection 453 (d) of the Act provides that a request for information
from the FPLS shall be filed in such manner and form as the Secretary of
Health and Human Services shall by regulation prescribe and shall be
accompanied or supported by such documents as the Secretary may
determine to be necessary.

Federal law and regulations describe the manner in which requests for
FPLS information shall be handled. The State plan requirement in
subsection 454 (8) of the Act provides that each State IV-D agency must
establish an SPLS utilizing all sources of information and available
records and the FPLS. Federal regulation requires the SPLS to accept
requests to use the FPLS only from authorized persons. 45 CFR 302.35
(c). Only the central SPLS, and any additional IV-D offices designated
under Section 302.35 (b), may submit requests for information to the
FPLS. 45 CFR 303.70 (a).

The Federal regulations reiterate that all requests must be made in the
manner and form prescribed by OCSE. 45 CFR 303.70 (b). The requests
shall contain the information specified by Federal regulation. 45 CFR
303.70 (c) (1) through (5).

In addition, all requests must be accompanied by a statement, signed by
the Director of the IV-D agency or his or her designee, attesting that
the request is being made for a statutorily-authorized purpose and that
information obtained through the FPLS shall be treated as confidential
and shall be safeguarded in accordance with requirements of the Act and
instructions issued by OCSE. 45 CFR 303.70 (d).

Question 2: Do the requirements governing the submittal of requests for
FPLS information, as described in Question and Answer 1, above, also
apply to State IV-E and IV-B agencies?

Answer 2: Yes. A request for FPLS information by a State IV-E or IV-B
agency must comply with the requirements of Federal
regulation[s]{.underline} governing such requests. Thus, a Title IV-E or
IV-B agency must submit its request for FPLS information through the
State IV-D agency's SPLS. [See]{.underline} 45 CFR 303.70.
[See]{.underline} [also]{.underline} OCSE-IM-99-01 or ACYF-CB-IM-99-02,
a single Information Memorandum jointly issued by both agencies.

Question 3: May a Clerk of the Court directly submit to OCSE a request
for information to the FPLS?

Answer 3: No. A Clerk of the Court may request FPLS information for a
purpose authorized under subsection 453 (a) (2) if the Clerk is an
\"authorized person\" within the meaning of subsection 453 (c) (2),
acting in the capacity of an agent of a court with proper jurisdiction
to issue a child support order or to serve as the initiating court in an
action to seek such an order against a noncustodial parent. The Clerk
must submit the request for FPLS information through the SPLS.
[See]{.underline} OCSE-PIQ-98-02.

**AT-99-09 JUN 16, 1999 (Continued)**

Question 4: Under Section 453 of the Act, are there any instances in
which a request for information from the FPLS may be submitted directly
to OCSE?

Answer 4: Yes. While an \"authorized person,\" as defined in subsection
453 (c) of the Act, must submit a request for FPLS information through
the SPLS established by the State IV-D agency, Section 453 permits other
entities, such as the Secretary of the Treasury, the Social Security
Administration and certain researchers, to have access to certain FPLS
information directly from OCSE. [See]{.underline} this Action
Transmittal, Part I, Section E, below.

D. What Information May an \"Authorized Person\" Receive in Response to
a Request for Information from the FPLS under Section 453 of the Act?

Question 1: In response to a request, what information may an
\"authorized person,\" as defined in Section 453 of the Act, receive
from the FPLS?

Answer 1: Subsection 453 (a) (2) of the Act provides that location
information, wage and employment information, and asset and debt
information are available from the FPLS.

Only the IV-D agency may request and receive all information from the
FPLS. The information that may be provided to other authorized persons
under Section 453 includes an individual's social security number,
address, wage and unemployment compensation amounts, and the employer's
name, address, and employer identification number.

FPLS information relating to an individual's assets and debts, available
under subsection 453 (a) (2) (C) of the Act, is currently obtained from
the Internal Revenue Service. Subsection 6103 (l) (6) of the Internal
Revenue Code provides that tax information may only be disclosed to
child support enforcement agencies.

E. What Other Entities May Receive Information from the FPLS under
Section 453 of the Act?

Question 1: In addition to the \"authorized persons\" who may request
information from the FPLS for the specified purposes under subsection
453 (a) (2), what other entities may receive information from the FPLS
under Section 453?

Answer 1: Under subsections 453 (h), (i) and (j), certain entities may
receive information contained in the Federal Case Registry of Child
Support Orders (FCR) or the NDNH. These entities are: the Secretary of
the Treasury; the Social Security Administration; State IV-D agencies;
State IV-A agencies; and certain researchers.

Question 2: For what purposes may the Secretary of the Treasury have
access to information in the FPLS?

Answer 2: Under subsection 453 (h) (3), the Secretary of the Treasury
shall have access to the information in the FCR component of the FPLS
for the purpose of administering those sections of the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986 which grant tax benefits based on support or residence of
children.

Under subsection 453 (i) (3), the Secretary of the Treasury shall have
access to the information in the NDNH for purposes of administering
section 32 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, or the advance payment
of the earned income tax credit under section 3507 of the Code, and
verifying a claim with respect to employment in a tax return.

**AT-99-09 JUN 16, 1999 (Continued)**

Question 3: For what purposes may the Social Security Administration
receive information in the FPLS?

Answer 3: Subsection 453 (j) (1) (A) of the Act requires the Secretary
of the Department of Health and Human Services to transmit data in each
component of the FPLS and information on individuals and employers
maintained under Section 453 to the Social Security Administration to
the extent necessary for the Social Security Administration to verify
the accuracy of, correct, or supply, to the extent possible, and report
to the Secretary, the name, Social Security number, and birth date of
individuals whose information is contained in the FPLS, and the Employer
Identification Number (EIN).

Under subsection 453 (j) (4), information in the NDNH is available to
the Commissioner of Social Security.

Question 4: In addition to the submittal of a request for FPLS
information by a State IV-D agency in its capacity as an \"authorized
person\" under subsection 453 (c) (1) for the child support purposes
specified in subsection 453 (a) (2) of the Act, does the Act specify any
other purposes for which the Secretary of Health and Human Services
shall report or disclose information in the FPLS to a State IV-D agency?

Answer 4: Yes. In addition to permitting a State IV-D agency to request
information from the FPLS for the purpose of establishing parentage or
establishing, setting the amount of, modifying, or enforcing child
support obligations pursuant to subsection 453 (a) (2) of the Act,
subsection 453 (j) (2) provides that, for the purpose of locating
individuals in a paternity establishment case or a case involving the
establishment, modification, or enforcement of a support order, the
Secretary shall compare information in the NDNH against information in
the support case abstracts in the FCR not less often than every two
business days and, within two business days after such a comparison
reveals a match with respect to an individual, report the information to
the State IV-D agency responsible for the case.

As further discussed in Questions and Answers 5 and 6, below, the Act
also grants the Secretary discretion to conduct additional data
comparisons of the information maintained in the components of the FPLS
and to report matches to a State IV-D agency or IV-A agency.

Question 5: Does the Act grant the Secretary of Health and Human
Services discretion to conduct additional FPLS data comparisons?

Answer 5: Yes. Subsection 453 (j) (3) of the Act provides that, to the
extent and with the frequency that the Secretary of Health and Human
Services determines to be effective in assisting States to carry out
their responsibilities under the IV-D program or the IV-A program, the
Secretary shall --

A.  compare the information in each component of the FPLS against the
    information in each other component of the FPLS (other than the
    required comparison between the NDNH and the FCR discussed in Answer
    4, above), and report instances in which such a comparison reveals a
    match with respect to an individual to State IV-A and IV-D agencies;
    and

B.  disclose information in the components of the FPLS to State IV-A and
    IV-D agencies.

Question 6: May data in the FPLS be used for research purposes?

Answer 6: Yes. The Act grants the Secretary of Health and Human Services
discretion on the use of certain FPLS data for research purposes.
Subsection 453 (j) (5) of the Act provides that the Secretary of Health
and Human Services may provide access to data in each component of the
FPLS and to information on newly hired employees reported by employers
for research purposes found by the Secretary to be likely to contribute
to achieving the purposes of the IV-A program or the IV-D program, but
without personal identifiers.

**AT-99-09 JUN 16, 1999 (Continued)**

Question 7: While an \"authorized person\" as defined in subsection 453
(c) must submit a request for FPLS information through the SPLS
established by the State IV-D agency, how may a request by other
entities under subsections 453 (h), (i) or (j) be submitted to the FPLS?

Answer 7: In contrast to a request for FPLS information by an
\"authorized person\" under subsection 453 (c) of the Act, which must be
submitted through the SPLS, subsections 453 (h), (i) and (j) provide
that the Secretary of the Treasury and the Commissioner of Social
Security should submit requests for FPLS information directly to OCSE.

F. What Safeguarding Requirements Apply to Requests for Information
under Section 453 of the Act?

Question 1: What are the safeguarding requirements in Title IV-D of the
Act that apply to requests for information from the FPLS and receipt of
such information pursuant to Section 453 of the Act?

Answer 1: In addition to the general requirement that only authorized
persons may request statutorily specified information from the FPLS
solely for authorized purposes and in accordance with the procedures
described above, Sections 453 and 454 of the Act contain several
safeguarding requirements that apply to requests for information from
the FPLS under Section 453 of the Act and receipt of such information.

Section 453 includes the following provisions:

-   Subsection 453 (b) (2) prohibits the disclosure of FPLS information
    if the disclosure of such information would contravene the national
    policy or security interests of the United States or the
    confidentiality of census data or if the State has notified the
    Secretary (FPLS) that the State has reasonable evidence of domestic
    violence or child abuse and the disclosure of such information could
    be harmful to the parent or the child. The exception to the general
    prohibition against the disclosure of FPLS information in cases of
    family violence, based upon a determination by a court with proper
    jurisdiction, is described in detail in OCSE-AT-98-27.

-   Subsection 453 (b) (3) provides that information received or
    transmitted pursuant to Section 453 shall be subject to the
    safeguarding provisions contained in subsection 454 (26) of the Act.

-   Subsection 453 (l) (1) provides that information in the FPLS, and
    information resulting from comparisons of such information, shall
    not be used or disclosed except as expressly provided in Section
    453, subject to Section 6103 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.

-   Subsection 453 (l) (2) provides that the Secretary of Health and
    Human Services shall require the imposition of an administrative
    penalty (up to and including dismissal from employment), and a fine
    of \$1,000 for each act of unauthorized access to, disclosure of, or
    use of information in the NDNH by any officer or employee of the
    United States who knowingly and willfully violates this provision.

-   Subsection 453 (m) provides that the Secretary shall establish and
    implement safeguards with respect to the FCR and the NDNH designed
    to ensure the accuracy and completeness of information in the FPLS
    and restrict access to confidential information in the FPLS to
    authorized persons, and restrict use of such information to
    authorized purposes.

**AT-99-09 JUN 16, 1999 (Continued)**

Section 454 contains three State plan requirements that pertain to the
safeguarding of FPLS information:

-   Subsection 454 (8) requires the State plan to provide that the State
    IV-D agency will establish an SPLS utilizing all sources of
    information and available records and the FPLS and, subject to the
    privacy safeguards required under subsection 454 (26), referenced
    below, disclose only the information described in Sections 453 and
    463 to the authorized persons specified in such sections for the
    purposes specified in such sections.

-   Subsection 454 (16) requires the State plan to provide for the
    establishment and operation by the State agency of a Statewide
    automated data processing and information retrieval system meeting
    the requirements of Section 454A of the Act. In turn, subsection
    454A (d) requires the State IV-D agency to have in effect safeguards
    on the integrity, accuracy, and completeness of, access to, and use
    of data in the automated system required by Section 454A, which
    shall include the following (in addition to such other safeguards as
    the Secretary may specify in regulations):

> \(1\) Written policies concerning access to data by State agency
> personnel and sharing of data with other persons, which --

  ------- ------------------------------------------------------------------
  \(A\)   permit access to and use of data only to the extent necessary to
          carry out the State program under Title IV-D; and

  \(B\)   specify the data which may be used for particular program
          purposes, and the personnel permitted access to such data.
  ------- ------------------------------------------------------------------

> \(2\) Systems controls (such as passwords or blocking of fields) to
> ensure direct adherence to the policies described in paragraph (1).
>
> \(3\) Routine monitoring of access to and use of the automated system,
> through methods such as audit trails and feedback mechanisms, to guard
> against and promptly identify unauthorized access or use.
>
> \(4\) Procedures to ensure that all personnel (including State and
> local agency staff and contractors) who may have access to or be
> required to use confidential program data are informed of applicable
> requirements and penalties (including those in section 6103 of the
> Internal Revenue Code of 1986), and are adequately trained in security
> procedures.
>
> \(5\) Administrative penalties (up to and including dismissal from
> employment) for unauthorized access to, or disclosure or use of,
> confidential data.

-   Subsection 454 (26) provides that a State plan for child and spousal
    support must have in effect safeguards, applicable to all
    confidential information handled by the State agency, that are
    designed to protect the privacy rights of the parties, including --

    A.  safeguards against unauthorized use or disclosure of information
        relating to proceedings or actions to establish paternity, or to
        establish, modify or enforce support, or to make or enforce a
        child custody determination;

    B.  prohibitions against the release of information on the
        whereabouts of one party or the child to another party against
        whom a protective order with respect to the former party or the
        child has been entered;

    C.  prohibitions against the release of information on the
        whereabouts of one party or the child to another person if the
        State has reason to believe that release of the information to
        that person may result in physical or emotional harm to the
        party or the child;

    D.  in cases where the prohibitions under subparagraphs (B) and (C)
        apply, the requirement to notify the FPLS, for purposes of
        subsection 453 (b) (2), that the State has reasonable evidence
        of domestic violence or child abuse against a party or the child
        and the disclosure of such information

**AT-99-09 JUN 16, 1999 (Continued)**

E.  could be harmful to the party or the child; and

F.  procedures providing that when the FPLS discloses information about
    a parent or child to a State court or an agent of a State court
    described in subsection 453 (c) (2) or 463 (d) (2) (B) of the Act,
    and advises the court or agent that the FPLS has been notified that
    there is reasonable evidence of domestic violence or child abuse
    pursuant to subsection 453 (b) (2), the court shall determine
    whether disclosure to any other person of information received from
    the FPLS could be harmful to the parent or child, and if the court
    determines that disclosure could be harmful, the court and its
    agents shall not make any such disclosure.

Question 2: In addition to the provisions of Title IV-D of the Act, are
requests for information from the FPLS under Section 453 and receipt of
such information subject to Federal regulatory safeguards?

Answer 2: Yes. Federal regulations governing requests for FPLS
information under Section 453 complement the statutory safeguards in
Title IV-D of the Act. These include the following provisions in Title
45 CFR, Chapter III.

-   Section 302.35, \"State parent locator service,\" which provides
    that the SPLS shall only accept requests to use the FPLS from
    \"authorized persons,\" as defined in Sections 453 and 463 of the
    Act.

-   Section 303.70, \"Requests by the State Parent Locator Service
    (SPLS) for information from the FPLS,\" which in part provides that
    only the SPLS office, and any additional IV-D offices designated by
    the IV-D agency with written approval by OCSE, may submit requests
    for information to the FPLS. 45 CFR 303.70 (a). The section further
    requires that all requests be accompanied by a statement, signed by
    the Director of the IV-D agency or his or her designee, attesting
    that the request is being made solely for an authorized purpose and
    that any information obtained through the FPLS shall be treated as
    confidential and shall be safeguarded under the requirements of
    subsections 453 (b), 453 (l), 454 (8), 454 (17), 454 (26) and
    463 (c) of the Act and instructions issued by OCSE. 45 CFR 303.70
    (d).

Question 3: Do the statutory and regulatory safeguards described above
apply to persons or entities to whom the IV-D agency delegates any of
the functions of the IV-D program?

Answer 3: Yes. Federal regulations require the State plan to provide for
the establishment or designation of a single and separate organizational
unit to administer the IV-D plan. 45 CFR 302.12 (a). Under this
requirement, the IV-D agency shall be responsible and accountable for
the operation of the IV-D program. 45 CFR 302.12 (a) (2).

The regulation provides that, with certain exceptions, the single and
separate agency need not perform all of the functions of the IV-D
program so long as it insures that all these functions are being carried
out properly, efficiently, and effectively. 45 CFR 302.12 (a) (2). The
exceptions include the following functions: the establishment and
administration of the State plan; formal evaluation of the quality,
efficiency, effectiveness, and scope of services provided under the
plan; and financial control of the operation of the plan. 45 CFR 303.20
(d).

If the IV-D agency delegates any of the functions of the IV-D program to
any other State or local agency or official, or any official with whom a
cooperative agreement has been entered into or purchases services from
any person or private agency, the IV-D agency shall have responsibility
for securing compliance with the requirements of the State plan by such
agency or officials. 45 CFR 302.12 (a) (3).

**AT-99-09 JUN 16, 1999 (Continued)**

G. What Is the Fee for FPLS Services Provided under Section 453 of the
Act?

Question 1: What is the fee for FPLS services provided under Section 453
of the Act?

Answer 1: Subsection 453 (k) (3) provides that a State or Federal agency
that receives information from the Secretary pursuant to Section 453
shall reimburse the Secretary for costs incurred in furnishing the
information, at rates which the Secretary determines to be reasonable
(which rates shall include the costs of obtaining, verifying,
maintaining, and comparing the information).

During Fiscal Year 1999, fees are based upon a transitional pricing
strategy. Each State will be charged a flat \$5,000 access fee in
addition to a variable fee based on the State's IV-D caseload.
[See]{.underline} OCSE-DCL-98-66. OCSE is evaluating the effectiveness
of this pricing strategy.

Subsection 453 (e) (2) of the Act further provides that whenever FPLS
services are furnished to an individual specified in subsection (c) (3)
of Section 453, the individual shall be charged a fee to reimburse OCSE
for the expense of providing the FPLS services.

II\. REQUESTS FOR INFORMATION FROM THE FEDERAL PARENT LOCATOR SERVICE
UNDER SECTION 463 OF THE ACT

A. Who May Request Information from the FPLS under Section 463 of the
Act?

Question 1: Who may request information from the FPLS under Section 463
of the Act?

Answer 1: Section 463 of the Act permits an \"authorized person,\" as
that term is defined in subsection 463 (d) (2), and other entities
specified under subsections 463 (e) and (f) to request information from
the FPLS.

Question 2: How is the term \"authorized person\" defined in Section 463
of the Act?

Answer 2: Under subsection 463 (d) (2), the term \"authorized person\"
means --

A.  any agent or attorney of any State having an agreement under this
    section, who has the duty or authority under the law of such State
    to enforce a child custody or visitation determination;

B.  any court having jurisdiction to make or enforce a child custody or
    visitation determination, or any agent of such court; and

C.  any agent or attorney of the United States, or of a State having an
    agreement under this section, who has the duty or authority to
    investigate, enforce, or bring a prosecution with respect to the
    unlawful taking or restraint of a child.

Question 3: For purposes of Section 463, does the term \"authorized
person\" include a private attorney seeking to enforce a child custody
or visitation determination?

Answer 3: No. For purposes of Section 463, a private attorney seeking to
make or enforce a child custody or visitation determination is not
considered to be either an agent or attorney of the State under
subsection 463 (d) (2) (A) or an agent of the court under subsection 463
(d) (2) (B) of the Act. [See]{.underline} OCSE-PIQ-98-05.

Question 4: Who is an \"authorized person\" under subsection 463 (d) (2)
(A)?

Answer 4: Subsection 463 (d) (2) (A) includes an appropriate State
official, provided that the State has a law that empowers the official
to act on behalf of the State to enforce a child custody or visitation
determination. To the extent provided by State law, examples of such
agents are officers employed by the State, such as social workers and
law enforcement officials, including a State's attorney empowered to act
on behalf of the State to prosecute a parental kidnapping or child
custody case. [See]{.underline} OCSE-PIQ-98-05.

B. For What Purposes May an \"Authorized Person\" Request Information
from the FPLS under Section 463 of the Act?

**AT-99-09 JUN 16, 1999 (Continued)**

Question 1: For what purposes may an \"authorized person,\" as defined
in subsection 463 (d) (2) of the Act, request information from the FPLS?

Answer 1: Under subsection 463 (a), an \"authorized person\" may request
information from the FPLS for the purpose of--

1.  enforcing any State or Federal law with respect to the unlawful
    taking or restraint of a child; or

```{=html}
<!-- -->
```
1.  making or enforcing a child custody or visitation determination.

Subsection 463 (d) (1) provides that for purposes of Section 463, the
term \"custody or visitation determination\" means a judgment, decree,
or other order of a court providing for the custody or visitation of a
child, and includes permanent and temporary orders, and initial orders
and modification.

Note than an \"authorized person,\" as defined in subsection 463 (d) (2)
of the Act, may request information from the FPLS only for the purposes
specified in subsection 463 (b) of the Act. A person authorized to
request information from the FPLS pursuant to Section 463 may not
request FPLS information for the purposes specified in Section 453 of
the Act, which are establishing parentage or establishing, setting the
amount of, modifying, or enforcing child support obligations. The
\"authorized persons\" and \"authorized purposes\" in Section 453 and
Section 463, respectively, may not be \"mixed and matched.\"

C. How Must An \"Authorized Person\" Submit a Request for Information
from the FPLS under Section 463 of the Act?

Question 1: How must an \"authorized person,\" as defined in subsection
463 (d) (2) of the Act, submit a request for information from the FPLS?

Answer 1: The submittal of requests for information from the FPLS by
authorized persons for authorized purposes under Section 463 of the Act
is governed by Federal law and regulations and instructions issued by
OCSE.

Subsection 463 (a) of the Act requires the Secretary of Health and Human
Services to enter into an agreement with every State for the purpose of
determining the whereabouts of any parent or child when such information
is to be used to locate such parent or child for the purpose of --

1.  enforcing any State or Federal law with respect to the unlawful
    taking or restraint of a child; or

```{=html}
<!-- -->
```
1.  making or enforcing a child custody or visitation determination.

Generally, the procedures governing requests for FPLS information from
\"authorized persons\" under Section 463 of the Act are the same as
those governing requests for information from \"authorized persons\"
under Section 453 of the Act. These procedures, described in Part I,
Section C, Question and Answer 1, above, require an \"authorized
person\" to submit a request through the SPLS.

An exception to this requirement applies to agents or attorneys of the
United States, who may request information directly from the FPLS under
Section 463 of the Act in connection with a parental kidnapping or child
custody case. [See]{.underline} 45 CFR 303.69, \"Requests by agents or
attorneys of the United States for information from the Federal Parent
Locator Service (PLS).\"

Question 2: Does Section 463 of the Act require that OCSE enter into an
agreement with every State to request information from the FPLS?

Answer 2: Yes. Subsection 463 (a) of the Act provides that \"The
Secretary shall enter into an agreement with every State under which the
services of the FPLS shall be made available to each State\" for
purposes of Section 463. Subsection 463 (a) formerly required OCSE to
enter into an agreement with \"any State which is able and willing to do
so\" for the purpose of submitting requests for FPLS information in
custody and parental kidnapping cases. As amended by Section 5534 (b)
(1) (A) of the Balanced Budget Reconciliation Act of 1997, P.L.105-33,
such agreements are now mandatory.

**AT-99-09 JUN 16, 1999 (Continued)**

Question 3: If a noncustodial parent seeks to enforce a child custody or
visitation determination, how should the parent submit a request for
information from the FPLS?

Answer 3: As indicated in Part II, Section A, Question and Answer 2,
above, a noncustodial parent seeking to enforce a child custody or
visitation determination is not an \"authorized person\" within the
meaning of subsection 463 (d) (2) of the Act. For the purpose of
enforcing a child custody or visitation determination, however, an
\"authorized person\" as defined in subsection 463 (d) (2) (A) or (B) of
the Act may submit a request for FPLS information via the SPLS on behalf
of the noncustodial parent.

Thus, a noncustodial parent may request that an appropriate State
official who is an authorized person within the meaning of the statute
submit a location request to the FPLS, provided that the State has a law
that empowers the official to act on behalf of the State to enforce a
child custody or visitation determination. To the extent provided by
State law, examples of such agents are officers employed by the State,
such as social workers and law enforcement officials, including a
State's attorney empowered to act on behalf of the State to prosecute a
parental kidnapping or child custody case. The definition does not
include a private attorney. The noncustodial parent may also petition a
court with proper jurisdiction to submit the request to the SPLS on his
or her behalf. A private attorney is not considered to be an agent of
the court for the purposes of the statutory definition of \"authorized
person.\" [See]{.underline} OCSE-PIQ-98-05.

D. What Information May an \"Authorized Person\" Receive in Response to
a Request for Information from the FPLS under Section 463 of the Act?

Question 1: What information may an \"authorized person,\" as defined in
subsection 463 (d) (2), receive from the FPLS?

Answer 1: Subsection 463 (c) provides that only information as to the
most recent address and place of employment of any parent or child shall
be provided under Section 463.

E. What Other Entities May Receive Information from the FPLS under
Section 463 of the Act?

Question 1: In addition to the \"authorized persons\" who may request
information from the FPLS under Section 463 of the Act, what other
entities may receive information from the FPLS under Section 463?

Answer 1: Subsection 463 (e) requires the Secretary of Health and Human
Services to enter into an agreement with the State Department in its
capacity as the Central Authority under the Convention on the Civil
Aspects of International Child Abduction under which the services of the
FPLS shall be made available to the State Department upon its request
for the purpose of locating any parent or child on behalf of an
applicant to the State Department.

Subsection 463 (f) requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services
to enter into an agreement with the Attorney General under which the
services of the FPLS shall be made available to the Office of Juvenile
Justice and Delinquency Prevention upon its request to locate any parent
or child on behalf of such Office for the purpose of enforcing any State
or Federal law with respect to the unlawful taking or restraint of a
child or making or enforcing a child custody or visitation
determination.

In accordance with Federal regulations, agents or attorneys of the
United States may request information directly from the FPLS in
connection with a parental kidnapping or child custody case. 45 CFR
303.69.

F. What Safeguarding Requirements Apply to Requests for Information
under Section 463 of the Act?

**AT-99-09 JUN 16, 1999 (Continued)**

Question 1: What are the safeguarding requirements in Title IV-D that
apply to a request for information from the FPLS pursuant to Section 463
of the Act?

Answer 1: Requests for information under Section 463 of the Act are
governed by the general requirement that only authorized persons, as
defined in Section 463, may request statutorily specified information
from the FPLS only for purposes authorized under Section 463. Such a
request must be made in accordance with the procedures described in Part
II, Section C, above.

Furthermore, subsection 463 (c) states that information authorized to be
provided by the FPLS under specified subsections of Section 463 shall be
subject to the same conditions with respect to disclosure as information
authorized to be provided under Section 453 of the Act. Thus, the
statutory and regulatory provisions governing requests for FPLS
information pursuant to Section 453 of the Act also apply to requests
for FPLS information pursuant to Section 463 of the Act.
[See]{.underline} Part I, Section F, of this Action Transmittal.

Subsection 453 (b) (2) of the Act contains a prohibition against the
disclosure of FPLS information if a State has notified the FPLS that the
State has reasonable evidence of domestic violence or child abuse and
that disclosure of such information could be harmful to the custodial
parent or the child of such parent.

If the FPLS has received such notification under subsection 453 (b) (2)
(B), information will be disclosed to the court only if, upon receipt of
information from the FPLS, the court determines whether disclosure to
any other person of that information could be harmful to the parent or
the child. In parental kidnapping or custody or visitation cases, the
court must be a court described in subsection 463(d)(2)(B) of the Act
with jurisdiction to make or enforce a child custody or visitation
determination. [See]{.underline} 42 U.S.C. 653 (b) (2);
[see]{.underline} [also]{.underline} OCSE-AT-98-27. If the court
determines that such disclosure could be harmful, the court shall not
disclose the information. Subsection 454 (26) (E) contains a
corresponding State plan requirement.

The State plan requirement in subsection 454 (17) requires the State to
have in effect an agreement with OCSE governing requests for FPLS
information pursuant to Section 463. These agreements must contain
safeguarding provisions.

Question 2: In addition to the provisions of Title IV-D of the Act, are
requests for information from the FPLS under Section 463 and receipt of
such information subject to Federal regulatory safeguards?

Answer 2: Yes. In addition to the provisions cited above, Federal
regulations require that an agreement under Section 463 of the Act must
contain a provision that the State shall adopt policies and procedures
to ensure that information shall be used and disclosed solely for the
purpose of enforcing any State or Federal law with respect to the
unlawful taking or restraint of a child or making or enforcing a child
custody or visitation determination. 45 CFR 303.15 (c) (8). The
regulation requires the State to:

\(i\) Restrict access to the information to authorized persons whose
duties or responsibilities require access in connection with child
custody and parental kidnapping cases;

\(ii\) Store the information during nonduty hours, or when not in use,
in a locked container within a secure area that is safe from access by
unauthorized persons;

\(iii\) Process the information under the immediate supervision and
control of authorized personnel, in a manner which will protect the
confidentiality of the information, and in such a way that unauthorized
persons cannot retrieve the information by computer, remote terminal, or
other means;

**AT-99-09 JUN 16, 1999 (Continued)**

\(iv\) Brief all employees who will have access to the data on security
procedures and instructions;

\(v\) Send the information directly to the requestor and make no other
use of the information;

\(vi\) After the information is sent to the requestor, destroy any
confidential records and information related to the request.

Question 3: Do the statutory and regulatory safeguards described above
apply to persons or entities to whom the IV-D agency delegates any of
the functions of the IV-D program?

Answer 3: Yes. Federal regulations require the State plan to provide for
the establishment or designation of a single and separate organizational
unit to administer the IV-D plan. 45 CFR 302.12 (a). Under this
requirement, the IV-D agency shall be responsible and accountable for
the operation of the IV-D program. 45 CFR 302.12 (a) (2).

The regulation provides that, with certain exceptions, the single and
separate agency need not perform all of the functions of the IV-D
program so long as it insures that all these functions are being carried
out properly, efficiently, and effectively. 45 CFR 302.12 (a) (2). The
exceptions include the following functions: the establishment and
administration of the State plan; formal evaluation of the quality,
efficiency, effectiveness, and scope of services provided under the
plan; and financial control of the operation of the plan. 45 CFR 303.20
(d).

If the IV-D agency delegates any of the functions of the IV-D program to
any other State or local agency or official, or any official with whom a
cooperative agreement has been entered into or purchases services from
any person or private agency, the IV-D agency shall have responsibility
for securing compliance with the requirements of the State plan by such
agency or officials. 45 CFR 302.12 (a) (3).

G. What Is the Fee for FPLS Services Provided under Section 463 of the
Act?

Question 1: What is the fee for FPLS services provided under Section 463
of the Act?

Answer 1: Subsection 454 (17) of the Act, in part, requires the State to
impose and collect (in accordance with regulations of the Secretary) a
fee sufficient to cover the costs to the State and to the Secretary
incurred by reason of such requests, and transmit to the Secretary from
time to time (in accordance with regulations) so much of the fees
collected as are attributable to the costs the Secretary incurred.

Subsection 463 (e) exempts the State Department from the payment of FPLS
fees when, pursuant to an agreement under subsection 463 (e) with the
Secretary of Health and Human Services, the State Department requests
FPLS information in its capacity as the Central Authority under the
Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction.
Subsection 463 (f) exempts the Department of Justice from the payment of
FPLS fees when FPLS services are requested to locate missing children
pursuant to an agreement between the Secretary of Health and Human
Services and the Attorney General under subsection 463 (f)

.

# CITE: 45CFR303.70

Code of Federal Regulations\]

\[Title 45, Volume 2, Parts 200 to 499\]

\[Revised as of October 1, 1998\]

From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access

\[Page 158-159\]

TITLE 45\--PUBLIC WELFARE

AND HUMAN SERVICES

PART 303\--STANDARDS FOR PROGRAM OPERATIONS\--Table of Contents

Sec. 303.**70** Requests by the State Parent Locator Service (SPLS) for
information from the Federal Parent Locator Service (FPLS).

\(a\) Only the central State PLS office, and any additional IV-D offices
designated under Sec. 302.35(b), may submit requests for information to
the Federal PLS.

\(b\) All requests shall be made in the manner and form prescribed by

the Office.

\(c\) All requests shall contain the following information:

\(1\) The absent parent\'s name;

\(2\) The absent parent\'s social security number (SSN). If the SSN is
unknown, the IV-D agency must make every reasonable effort to ascertain
the individual\'s SSN before submitting the request to the Federal PLS;

\(3\) Whether the individual is or has been a member of the armed

services, if known;

\(4\) Whether the individual is receiving, or has received, any Federal
compensation or benefits, if known; and

\(5\) Any other information prescribed by the Office.

\(d\) All requests shall be accompanied by a statement, signed by the
director of the IV-D agency or his or her designee, attesting to the
following:

\(1\) The request is being made solely to locate an individual for the
purpose of establishing paternity or securing support or in connection
with a parental kidnapping or child custody case.

\(2\) Any information obtained through the Federal PLS shall be treated
as confidential and shall be safeguarded under the requirements of Sec.
303.21 of this chapter and instructions issued by the Office.

(e)(1) The IV-D agency shall pay the fees required under:

\(i\) Section 453(e)(2) of the Act in IV-D cases in which there is no
assignment of support rights to the State under Sec. 301.1 of this
chapter and in non-IV-D locate-only cases in which the location of an
absent parent is the only service requested; and

\(ii\) Section 454(17) of the Act in parental kidnapping and child
custody cases.

(2)(i) The IV-D agency may charge an individual requesting information,
or pay without charging the individual, the fee required under sections
453(e)(2) and 454(17) of the Act.

**CITE**: **45CFR303**.**70 (Continued)**

\(ii\) The State may recover the fee required under section 453(e)(2) of
the Act from the absent parent who owes a support obligation to a family
on whose behalf the IV-D agency is providing services and repay it to
the individual requesting information or itself.

\(iii\) State funds used to pay the fee under section 453(e)(2) of the
Act are not program expenditures under the State plan but are program
income under Sec. 304.50 of this chapter.

\[\[Page 159\]\]

\(3\) The fees required under sections 453(e)(2) and 454(17) of the Act
shall be reasonable and as close to actual costs as possible so as not
to discourage use of the FPLS by authorized individuals.

(4)(i) For costs of processing requests for information under sections
453(e)(2) and 454(17) of the Act, the Federal government will charge the
IV-D agency periodically. A fee will be charged for submitting a case to
the FPLS for location information.

\(ii\) If a State fails to pay the appropriate fees charged by the
Office under this section, the services provided by the FPLS in cases
subject to the fees may be suspended until payment is received.

\(iii\) Fees shall be transmitted in the amount and manner prescribed by
the Office in instructions.

(Approved by the Office of Management and Budget under control number
0960-0165)

\[46 FR 54557, Nov. 3, 1981, as amended at 47 FR 24719, June 8, 1982; 47

FR 57282, Dec. 23, 1982; 51 FR 37731, Oct. 24, 1986; 57 FR 28110, June

24, 1992\]

# 57Case Scenario Exercise

+-----------------------------+--------------+-------------------------+
| **[Situation]{.underline}** | **[Yes]{.    | **[No]{.underline}**    |
|                             | underline}** |                         |
+-----------------------------+--------------+-------------------------+
| [(Check Yes or No and       |              |                         |
| indicate the appropriate    |              |                         |
| legislative                 |              |                         |
| authority)]{.smallcaps}     |              |                         |
+-----------------------------+--------------+-------------------------+
| 1.  A police officer is     | ****        | ****                   |
|     sitting in the waiting  |              |                         |
|     room and has asked to   |              |                         |
|     see the child support   |              |                         |
|     worker for NCP John     |              |                         |
|     Smith. John Smith is in |              |                         |
|     your caseload. The      |              |                         |
|     police officer          |              |                         |
|     indicates there is a    |              |                         |
|     warrant. Mr. Smith      |              |                         |
|     believes you may have   |              |                         |
|     some information about  |              |                         |
|     him, as his ex-wife     |              |                         |
|     indicated she gets      |              |                         |
|     child support every now |              |                         |
|     and then. The police    |              |                         |
|     officer is looking for  |              |                         |
|     an address. You look at |              |                         |
|     your file and you see   |              |                         |
|     there is a current      |              |                         |
|     address and employer    |              |                         |
|     just reported from the  |              |                         |
|     NDNH via the FPLS.      |              |                         |
|                             |              |                         |
| This is a legal matter and  |              |                         |
| the officer has a warrant,  |              |                         |
| is the entitled to the      |              |                         |
| information?                |              |                         |
|                             |              |                         |
| If the police officer is    |              |                         |
| entitled to this            |              |                         |
| information under which     |              |                         |
| authority?                  |              |                         |
|                             |              |                         |
| §453 §463 N/A            |              |                         |
+-----------------------------+--------------+-------------------------+
|                             |              |                         |
+-----------------------------+--------------+-------------------------+
| 2.  You are in the          | ****        | ****                   |
|     courtroom on a child    |              |                         |
|     support matter and the  |              |                         |
|     NCP fails to appear.    |              |                         |
|     The judge is about to   |              |                         |
|     make a ruling of        |              |                         |
|     contempt and is very    |              |                         |
|     angry as he cut the NCP |              |                         |
|     a break at the last     |              |                         |
|     court hearing a month   |              |                         |
|     ago. The judge asks for |              |                         |
|     the location            |              |                         |
|     information.            |              |                         |
|                             |              |                         |
| Does the judge have legal   |              |                         |
| authority to obtain this    |              |                         |
| information through FPLS?   |              |                         |
|                             |              |                         |
| If the judge is entitled to |              |                         |
| this information under      |              |                         |
| which authority?            |              |                         |
|                             |              |                         |
| §453 §463 N/A            |              |                         |
+-----------------------------+--------------+-------------------------+
| 3.  You have just finished  | ****        | ****                   |
|     talking to a very irate |              |                         |
|     CP who believes that    |              |                         |
|     you are not taking      |              |                         |
|     sufficient action on    |              |                         |
|     her case, nor are you   |              |                         |
|     acting quickly enough.  |              |                         |
|     A little while later    |              |                         |
|     the receptionist calls  |              |                         |
|     and indicates that the  |              |                         |
|     Custodial Parent's      |              |                         |
|     attorney is in the      |              |                         |
|     lobby to see you. He    |              |                         |
|     wants access to the     |              |                         |
|     FPLS information.       |              |                         |
|                             |              |                         |
| > Does the attorney for a   |              |                         |
| > custodial parent have the |              |                         |
| > right to the FPLS         |              |                         |
| > information on behalf of  |              |                         |
| > the CP?                   |              |                         |
| >                           |              |                         |
| > If the attorney is        |              |                         |
| > entitled to this          |              |                         |
| > information under which   |              |                         |
| > authority?                |              |                         |
|                             |              |                         |
| §453 §463 N/A            |              |                         |
+-----------------------------+--------------+-------------------------+
|                             |              |                         |
+-----------------------------+--------------+-------------------------+
| 4.  The grandmother of a    | ****        | ****                   |
|     child in your caseload  |              |                         |
|     is in the office. She   |              |                         |
|     is a very kind, polite  |              |                         |
|     older woman, who is     |              |                         |
|     concerned about her     |              |                         |
|     grandchild and is       |              |                         |
|     wondering if there is   |              |                         |
|     anything else that can  |              |                         |
|     be done on behalf of    |              |                         |
|     her daughter and        |              |                         |
|     grandchild's case. She  |              |                         |
|     has asked for the NCP's |              |                         |
|     address so she can go   |              |                         |
|     talk to him about him   |              |                         |
|     visiting the child more |              |                         |
|     often.                  |              |                         |
|                             |              |                         |
| > Is the grandmother        |              |                         |
| > entitled to the           |              |                         |
| > information contained in  |              |                         |
| > the file?                 |              |                         |
| >                           |              |                         |
| > If the grandmother is     |              |                         |
| > entitled to this          |              |                         |
| > information under which   |              |                         |
| > authority?                |              |                         |
|                             |              |                         |
| §453 §463 N/A            |              |                         |
+-----------------------------+--------------+-------------------------+
| 5.  A social worker from    | ****        | ****                   |
|     the IV-B Child Welfare  |              |                         |
|     Agency calls you on a   |              |                         |
|     case in your caseload.  |              |                         |
|     She needs the NCP's     |              |                         |
|     address. She is         |              |                         |
|     conducting a home study |              |                         |
|     and needs the NCP to    |              |                         |
|     sign a document about   |              |                         |
|     how often he visits the |              |                         |
|     child.                  |              |                         |
|                             |              |                         |
| > Is the social worker      |              |                         |
| > entitled to this          |              |                         |
| > information as an agent   |              |                         |
| > of the IV-B agency?       |              |                         |
| >                           |              |                         |
| > If the social worker is   |              |                         |
| > entitled to this          |              |                         |
| > information under which   |              |                         |
| > authority?                |              |                         |
|                             |              |                         |
| §453 §463 N/A            |              |                         |
+-----------------------------+--------------+-------------------------+
| 6.  A private attorney      | ****        | ****                   |
|     calls you on behalf of  |              |                         |
|     the custodial parent.   |              |                         |
|     Over the weekend the    |              |                         |
|     NCP picked up the child |              |                         |
|     for his weekend         |              |                         |
|     visitation and has not  |              |                         |
|     returned the child. The |              |                         |
|     custodial parent is     |              |                         |
|     concerned about         |              |                         |
|     parental kidnapping.    |              |                         |
|     The private attorney    |              |                         |
|     wants you to provide    |              |                         |
|     the NCP's SSN and       |              |                         |
|     employer information    |              |                         |
|     obtained through FPLS.  |              |                         |
|                             |              |                         |
| > As an agent of the CP, is |              |                         |
| > the private attorney      |              |                         |
| > entitled to this          |              |                         |
| > information?              |              |                         |
| >                           |              |                         |
| > If the private attorney   |              |                         |
| > is entitled to this       |              |                         |
| > information, under which  |              |                         |
| > authority?                |              |                         |
|                             |              |                         |
| §453 §463 N/A            |              |                         |
+-----------------------------+--------------+-------------------------+

# Warming Up To A Security Blanket; If You Think Encryption Isn\'t Important For You, Think Again

ROBERT O\'HARROW JR.

WASHINGTON POST STAFF WRITER

Column: CYBERTALK

Monday, September 14, 1998; Page F24

> It has become a perpetually undone task for many of us who cruise the
> World Wide Web, send and receive e-mail and otherwise do business
> online. A chore that we put off repeatedly, thinking that somehow it
> doesn\'t really matter. At least not for us.

I\'m talking about encryption, that ominous-sounding process of making
our digital communications safe from prying eyes.

To understand why encryption is important, think about an electronic
message sent from Bethesda to Arlington. While the message may take only
a few seconds to transmit, it might be routed through a dozen computers.
Who knows if one of those is automatically downloading messages?

\"Internet mail is uniquely susceptible to interception and
surveillance,\" said Marc Rotenberg, director of the Electronic Privacy
Information Center, a public-interest research organization based in
Washington.

\"It\'s like sending a postcard,\" said Alan Davidson, staff counsel at
the Center for Democracy and Technology, another public-interest group
based in the District. \"Any computer along the way can stop that
message and read it.\"

The same holds true for information such as credit card numbers or
sensitive personal information sent on the Web, although growing numbers
of Web sites are employing encryption techniques that automatically make
your information a jumble until it arrives safely.

But more on that in a minute. First off, here\'s a very basic
explanation of how encryption works: Computer programs take what you
write and scramble it so it appears meaningless. Then, when the
appropriate person receives the file, he uses the same software to
unscramble the message, much like someone might open a combination lock.

Relatively few people take advantage of these readily available
safeguards, in some cases for pretty good reasons. One is the simple
fact that a lot of what people do online is profoundly innocuous. It\'s
hard to reckon why one would need to protect a missive about the
Washington Redskins, for example, or a routine reply to a customer.

Another reason is the fallout from a fierce and stalemated policy debate
in Washington. Privacy advocates say the inability of legislators and
the White House to agree on a proper approach has stymied the computer
industry\'s development of a universal, bulletproof encryption system
that would be accessible for even the newest computer users.

> On one hand, officials at the FBI demand that such programs include a
> \"back door\" that would give law enforcement authorities the ability
> to monitor traffic on the Internet. The Clinton administration also
> opposes the export of any but the most basic encryption programs
> unless they included the same sort of access.

**Warming Up To A Security Blanket; If You Think Encryption Isn\'t
Important For You, Think Again (Continued)**

Privacy advocates and boosters of electronic commerce, however, have
pushed hard for a relaxation of such restrictions. They argue that
computer users eventually will be put off from taking full advantage of
the Internet unless they can be sure their communication is protected.
Yet they say software developers

will not create an easy-to-use universal standard unless the government
backs away from some of its restrictions.

Privacy advocates also note \-- correctly \-- that Americans have never
cottoned to the idea of the government tapping their communications.

But not all the news is bad. Despite the shortcomings of existing
systems \-- specialists have managed to crack encryption programs
available for export \-- relatively powerful encryption software has
been available within the United States for some time. A program called
Pretty Good Privacy, for example, can be downloaded for free from many
Web sites, including the sites run by the Electronic Privacy Information
Center (www.epic.org) and the Center for Democracy and Technology
(www.cdt.org).

Even more secure versions are available for sale at computer stores. The
drawback for now is that both the sender and the receiver of e-mail have
to be using the same software.

Another hopeful sign is that growing numbers of Web sites are making use
of strong encryption programs to secure customer information, so many
people are using encryption more than they realize. The browsers that
you likely use to cruise the Internet \-- those sold by Netscape and
Microsoft, for example \-- include encryption systems that advocates say
work quite well.

But customers need to take care with their credit card data and other
personal information unless they\'re sure about the site.

As all these issues shake out, computer users can take some simple steps
to make their information more secure. Among them:

Download or buy an encryption program and try it out. It\'s easier than
it sounds.

Before you send sensitive information to a Web site, make sure your
browser is set to tell you whether the site is using encryption.

Get in the habit of thinking about security. It probably won\'t be long
before you are doing some serious business on the Internet. You might as
well practice now.

Tell legislators and policymakers how you feel about the issue, so they
will make the right decisions.

\"It\'s getting into this mind-set and saying, \`Is what I\'m doing
secure?\' \" said Davidson, of the Center for Democracy and Technology.
\"People need to think about it.\"

# Password Checklist

-   Never let anyone use your password

-   Never work under someone else's password---most computer systems
    maintain audit trails of who did what or accessed which record.

-   Change password often

-   Do not use a predictable password

-   Don\'t use real life words

-   Use both upper and lowercase

-   Avoid simple sequences of letters and numbers (ABC123)

-   Create a password that includes a combination of numbers and letters
    (such as sun8ray or bel3jar2 or 12hat93)

-   Don't use birth dates, social security numbers, names of pets

-   Be original

-   Never make your password the same as your log-in ID or user name

-   Change the default password right away

-   Continue to change your password frequently

-   Write down your password in a safe, locked place

-   Don't be lazy

-   Do not "store" your password

-   Report unauthorized access to management

# Computer Security Checklist

-   Think about your on-line interviews. Make sure your computer
    terminal is not displaying case information when someone comes into
    your office.

-   Do not walk away from your computer while it is still signed on

-   Shred confidential documents, or documents containing personal data,
    before disposing of them**. Do not** throw away a hardcopy page of
    information printed from your CSE system in the trashcan. Be aware
    of what data is on it.

-   Do not discuss sensitive data

-   Be careful with sending and receiving data via fax

-   Keep hardcopy files secure and out of view of visitors

-   Store data in locked file cabinets

-   Protect records---forms, computer printouts, etc.---from falling
    into the wrong hands

-   Keep eyes and ears open. Look for things that don't look
    right---suspicious people or people doing suspicious things

-   Never download files from the internet to your work computer

-   Do not add personal software to your work computer

-   Keep virus software current on your computer

# Bomb Threat Checklist

-   Keep Calm. Keep talking.

-   Don't hang up

-   Signal to a coworker to get on an extension

-   Ask the caller to repeat the message and write it down

-   For a bomb threat, ask where the bomb is and when it is set to go
    off

-   Listen for background noises and write down a description

-   Write down whether it's a man or woman; pitch of voice, accent,
    anything you hear

-   Try to get the person's name, exact location, telephone number

-   Signal a coworker to immediately call security or the police

-   Notify your immediate supervisor

# Handy Reference Card

Everyone in our office, including supervisors and managers, should
follow these same procedures. Make copies of the card if you need to so
everyone will have his or her own card. (Print Out)

[CHECK LIST FOR TELEPHONE BOMB THREAT]{.underline}

-   Exact time & date of call

-   Exact words of caller: (ask them to repeat the message, if
    necessary, and write as much as possible.

-   Keep calm. Keep talking. Don't hang up. Signal a coworker to get on
    an extension and/or notify FPS, contract guards, or the local
    police. Ask when and where the bomb is going to explode?

-   Ask what the bomb looks like?

\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

-   Ask what type of a bomb is it?

\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

-   Ask what will cause it to detonate?

\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

-   Ask why they are doing this?

\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

-   Ask where are you calling from?

\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

-   Try to get callers full name:

\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

-   Try to get callers exact location and phone number:

\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

-   Repeat questions, if necessary.

\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

**Handy Reference Card (Continued)**

Listen carefully to the voice. Note whether it\'s a man or a woman,
pitch, accent; circle the following:

Calm Slow Nasal Broken Stutter

Disguised Lisp Sincere Giggler

Crying Squeaky Excited Accent

Loud Slurred Normal Angry

Rapid Deep Stressed

-   If the voice is familiar, who did it sound like?

\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

-   Background noises heard (e.g. cars, train, etc )

\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

-   Any other pertinent information?

\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

-   Person receiving call:

\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

-   Telephone number call received at:

\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

-   Notification to immediate supervisor (time/date):

\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

# Wallet Watcher Form

\* Keep only card name and phone number- the issuer can look up your
number- don't provide the wrong person with valuable information!

+-------------------------------+--------------------------------------+
| **CARD**                      | **ISSUER'S**                         |
|                               |                                      |
|                               | **PHONE NUMBER**                     |
+===============================+======================================+
|                               |                                      |
+-------------------------------+--------------------------------------+
|                               |                                      |
+-------------------------------+--------------------------------------+
|                               |                                      |
+-------------------------------+--------------------------------------+
|                               |                                      |
+-------------------------------+--------------------------------------+
|                               |                                      |
+-------------------------------+--------------------------------------+
|                               |                                      |
+-------------------------------+--------------------------------------+
|                               |                                      |
+-------------------------------+--------------------------------------+
|                               |                                      |
+-------------------------------+--------------------------------------+
|                               |                                      |
+-------------------------------+--------------------------------------+
|                               |                                      |
+-------------------------------+--------------------------------------+
|                               |                                      |
+-------------------------------+--------------------------------------+
|                               |                                      |
+-------------------------------+--------------------------------------+
|                               |                                      |
+-------------------------------+--------------------------------------+

# Precaution Checklist

Your Wallet

-   Know what is in your wallet

-   Check your wallet often and report lost or stolen credit cards
    immediately

-   Keep copies of credit cards and phone numbers in safe easily
    accessible place (Wallet Watcher form)

-   Photocopy cards and write down phone numbers of card issuers

-   Have the numbers readily accessible to contact the credit card
    companies and the check cashing companies at work and at home

-   Register all cards with a registration service

-   Do not have your PIN# written down in your wallet

-   Destroy your credit card receipts

-   Carry only identification and credit cards you need when
    traveling---whether locally or out of town

    Your Credit Report

```{=html}
<!-- -->
```
-   Notify Major Credit Bureaus not to sell your data

-   Request free copies of your credit report at least once a year

-   Challenge any errors

    Your Home

```{=html}
<!-- -->
```
-   Buy a shredder

-   Shred any sensitive documents

-   Credit Card bills, phone bills, mortgage statements

-   Keep an unlisted phone number

-   Purchase phone cards, rather than using a calling card billed to
    your phone

-   Don't engage in over-the-phone credit card transactions

**Precaution Checklist (Continued)**

The Internet

-   Be careful "registering" at sites on the web

-   Keep two online accounts

-   One private, for email and another for searching the world wide web

-   Encrypt your email

-   Disarm the "cookie" file

-   Don\'t give out your account password to anyone, even someone
    claiming to be from your online service.

-   E-mail is relatively private --- but not completely. Don\'t put
    anything into an electronic message that you wouldn\'t want to see
    posted on a neighborhood bulletin board.

-   When you enter a web site look for a privacy policy that answers
    your questions about accuracy, access, security, and control of
    personal information, as well as how information will be used, and
    whether it will be provided to third parties. (For example,
    www.consumer.gov and click on Privacy Policy)

    Medical Information

```{=html}
<!-- -->
```
-   Ask your doctor to review his/her report before sending it to your
    insurer

    Drivers License Information

```{=html}
<!-- -->
```
-   Notify your State's DMV not to sell your data

    Credit/Debit Cards, Phone Cards, and Check-Cashing Cards

```{=html}
<!-- -->
```
-   Sign cards as soon as you receive them

-   Close any inactive accounts

-   Know what's going on around you when using your debit card and
    always shield the screen and keyboard

-   Stop receiving unsolicited "pre-approved" credit card offers

-   When filling out a credit card application, look for a box that says
    this information is not to be disseminated

-   Avoid grocery purchases with a savings club card or credit card.
    (Together with scanners, this tells marketers your buying habits.)

-   Request security codes for your telephone and bank accounts

    **Precaution Checklist (Continued)**

    Emergency Phone Numbers

```{=html}
<!-- -->
```
-   Carefully tear out the \"Emergency Phone Numbers\" card at the
    dotted lines. Write in all the emergency numbers for your building.
    Tape this card on your desk by your phone or somewhere else close to
    your phone for handy reference. (Copies of this card also can be
    made.)

-   Building Security
    \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

-   Police/Sheriff
    \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

-   Fire Department
    \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

-   Ambulance
    \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

-   Health Unit
    \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

> Everyone in your office, including supervisors and managers, should
> follow these same procedures. You can make copies of this card so that
> everyone has his or her own card.

# Flannel Board Exercise Directions

## Supplies:

Two (2) 30" x 40" pieces of foam board (available from Staples or Office
Depot)

Two (2) yards of flannel (at least 42" wide) in any color

Hot glue gun

Strips of self-adhesive Velcro

Seven (7) pieces of colored card stock (8 ½" x 11") (Yellow or Orange)

Seven (7) pieces of colored card stock (8 ½' x 11") (Light Green or
Blue)

## For the flannel boards:

Cover each piece of foam board with one yard of the flannel using the
glue gun to attach the flannel material to the back. Be sure to stretch
the material tightly before gluing to ensure there are no wrinkles on
the front side.

## For the signs:

Cut the colored card stock in half lengthwise so that you end up with 14
pieces 4 ¼" by 11" of one color and 14 pieces of the other color.

The signs should be printed on one side with entries from the table
shown on the next page. For the trainer-supplied who's and why's, use
something that your audience might deem an authorized user or reason,
e.g., a Friend of the Court representative to disburse an unidentified
child support payment. Be sure you know what is and isn't authorized
before using them to avoid creating a "policy issue" during this
exercise. (Note: The letters shown are they trainer's key to shown what
matches can be made. These should not be shown on the signs for the
exercise.)

Attach pieces of the self-adhesive Velcro to the back of each sign. This
is what allows the sign to "stick" to the flannel board.

After both exercises, ask if there are any questions on access to FPLS
data. If not, continue on to State-acquired information.

**Flannel Board Exercise Directions (continued)**

+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| ## First Color -- The Who's       | ## Second Color -- The Why's      |
+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| A. US Attorney for parental       | Establish Paternity (E,F,H,J,L,M) |
| kidnapping cases                  |                                   |
+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| B. State attorney enforcing child | Making or enforcing a child       |
| custody or visitation             | custody or visitation             |
|                                   | determination (B,C)               |
+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| C. Court with jurisdiction over   | Enforce parental kidnapping laws  |
| child custody or visitation       | (A)                               |
| determination                     |                                   |
+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| D. Interest Relative              | Kidnap child and return to        |
|                                   | custodial parent (NO MATCH)       |
+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| E. Grandmother (who has legal and | Enforce parental kidnapping laws  |
| physical custody of the child)    | (A)                               |
+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| F. Attorney for Child             | Modify Child Support              |
|                                   | (E,F,H,J,K,L,M)                   |
+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| G. Police Officer                 | Enforce Child Support             |
|                                   | (E,F,H,J,K,L,M)                   |
+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| H. Child Support Judge            | Visitation (B,C)                  |
+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| I. Clerk of Court                 | Concerned with child's welfare    |
|                                   | (NO MATCH)                        |
+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| J. Attorney for NCP               | Establish Child Support           |
|                                   | (E,F,H,J,K,L,M)                   |
+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| K. Custodial Parent               | Terminate Parental Rights (B,C)   |
+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| L. Non---custodial parent (NCP)   | ### Trainer supplied "why"        |
+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| M. Child Support Worker           | Trainer supplied "why"            |
+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| ### N. Trainer supplied "who"     | Trainer supplied "why"            |
+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+

There are no matches for D (Interest Relative), G (Police Officer), or I
(Clerk of Court)

# TRAINING EVALUATION FORM

**Course Title:** The CSE Program: Securing the Future

**Location:**
\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

**Date:**
\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

**Instructor(s):**
\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

*[Instructions]{.underline}*: Please check the box in the column that
best represents your response to each question. Your comments are
encouraged. If more space is needed, please use the back of the page.

  ------------------- -------- -------- -- --------------- ----------- ------------- ------- ----------- ------ ---------- -----
                                                                                                                           

                                                           **ABOVE**                         **BELOW**                     

                                           **EXCELLENT**   **AVG**     **AVERAGE**           **AVG**            **POOR**   

  **THE COURSE**                                                                                                           

  1\. Information                                                                                                       
  contained in the                                                                                                         
  course                                                                                                                   

  2\. Length of the                                                                                                    
  course                                                                                                                   

  3\. Usefulness of                                                                                                    
  the course                                                                                                               

                                                                                                                           

  **COURSE                                                                                                                 
  MATERIALS**                                                                                                              

  1\. Order of the                                                                                                     
  modules                                                                                                                  

  2\. Usefulness of                                                                                                    
  information                                                                                                              

  3\. Appendices and                                                                                                   
  hand-outs                                                                                                                

                                                                                                                           

  **INSTRUCTOR(S)**                                                                                                        

  1\. Ability to                                                                                                        
  present information                                                                                                      
  in a clear and                                                                                                           
  understandable way                                                                                                       

  2\. Teaching skills                                                                                                   
  and presentation                                                                                                         
  methods                                                                                                                  

  3\. Ability to                                                                                                        
  answer or find                                                                                                           
  answers to                                                                                                               
  questions                                                                                                                

                                                                                                                           

                                                                                                                           

  **OTHER**                                                                                                                

  1\. Did the course                                                   Yes                   No                            
  meet your                                                                                                                
  objectives and                                                                                                           
  expectations?                                                                                                            

  (Circle one. If no,                                                                                                      
  please explain.)                                                                                                         

                                                                                                                           

                                                                                                                           

  2\. Will this                                                        Yes                   No                            
  course help you in                                                                                                       
  relation to your                                                                                                         
  job?                                                                                                                     

  (Circle one. If no,                                                                                                      
  please explain.)                                                                                                         

                                                                                                                           

                                                                                                                           

  3\. What did you                                                                                                         
  like most about                                                                                                          
  this course?                                                                                                             

                                                                                                                           

                                                                                                                           

  4\. What did you                                                                                                         
  like least about                                                                                                         
  this course?                                                                                                             

                                                                                                                           

  **ADDITIONAL                                                                                                             
  COMMENTS** (please                                                                                                       
  use the reverse                                                                                                          
  side if necessary)                                                                                                       
  ------------------- -------- -------- -- --------------- ----------- ------------- ------- ----------- ------ ---------- -----