Alabama Administrative Code › Title 660 - ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES › Chapter 660-1-6 - CONFIDENTIAL MATERIALS › Section 660-1-6-.06 - Client Access To Records

Current through Register Vol. 42, No. 9, June 28, 2024
(1) As a general rule, applicants, clients,
			 and recipients or their representatives are not entitled to access to their
			 case records or other confidential information.
(2) Where the Department has taken adverse
			 action and a Department administrative hearing has been requested, the affected
			 applicant, client, or recipient, or their Authorized representative, shall,
			 upon request, have access to that portion of the case record relating to the
			 adverse action expected to be placed in evidence at the hearing. Confidential
			 information, such as Child Abuse and Neglect reports and records, shall remain
			 confidential and not subject to release or disclosure unless it will be placed
			 in evidence at the hearing.
(3)
			 Applicants, clients, recipients, or their Authorized representatives are
			 entitled to access to Child Abuse and Neglect reports and records where
			 disclosure or release is Authorized by law as outlined in Rule
			 660-1-6-.05.
(4) Applicants, clients, recipients or their
			 authorized representatives are entitled to access where a court of law of
			 competent jurisdiction has ordered access to the case records.
(5) Applicants, clients, recipients or their
			 Authorized representatives are entitled to access where federal or state laws
			 or regulations or other Administrative Rules of this Department require or
			 allow access to the case records.
(6) Upon reaching age 19, any person placed
			 by the Department or a licensed child-placing agency shall be entitled to
			 receive from the Department information concerning his placement, except, the
			 name and address of a natural parent or relative shall be disclosed by the
			 Department only with the consent of the natural parent or relative. If the
			 natural parent(s) are dead, information may be disclosed or released concerning
			 their names and addresses, even though their consent had not been secured prior
			 to the time information is sought.
(7) The Department shall disclose information
			 on the amount of assistance or period of eligibility of a client at the request
			 of the client or with the client's consent.
(8) The provisions of this rule also apply to
			 persons holding licenses, permits, or approvals issued by the
			 Department.
(9) Child support
			 payment records contain confidential information and may not be disclosed
			 outside the administration of the IV-D program Payment records may be released
			 to the custodial or noncustodial party to whom they pertain. They may be
			 provided to the courts and other entities or individuals if it is for the
			 purpose of the IV-D program (i.e. enforcing and collecting child support).
			 Payment records may only be released to individuals or entities outside the
			 administration of the IV-D program with signed authorization from the custodial
			 or noncustodial parent. Payment information is available to the custodial or
			 noncustodial party in a variety of formats, including information available in
			 person, by telephone, via the Internet, in paper or electronic form. The terms
			 of the court order may also be released with the payment history.
Author:
James E. Long
Statutory Authority:
Code of Ala.
				  1975
, §§
										26-14-8,
				  38-2-6,
				  38-7-13,
				  41-22-4.