CONFIDENTIALITY OF INFORMATION

(a) The executive commissioner shall establish reasonable rules governing the custody, use, and preservation of the records, papers, files, and communications of the commission and the Department of Aging and Disability Services under this title. The commission and the department shall:

(1) enforce the agency's rules; and

(2) provide safeguards which restrict the use or disclosure of information concerning applicants for or recipients of the commission's and the department's assistance programs to purposes directly connected with the administration of the programs.

(b) If under a provision of law lists of the names and addresses of recipients of the commission's or the department's assistance programs are furnished to or held by a governmental agency other than the commission or the department, that agency or the person with responsibility for adopting rules for that agency shall adopt rules necessary to prevent the publication of the lists or the use of the lists for purposes not directly connected with the administration of the assistance programs. Acts 1979, 66th Leg., p. 2339, ch. 842, art. 1, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1979. Amended by: Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1 (S.B. 219 ), Sec. 4.007, eff. April 2, 2015.