A. The purpose of this act is to ensure efficient, cost effective delivery of state services and accountability in the delivery of state services to children and their families through the establishment of uniform administrative rules governing the maintenance, transfer and release of confidential information between public and private agencies that provide services to children and their families in order to:

1. Facilitate access to health, mental health, social and related services that are made available through state and federal funds for children and families;

2. Remove unnecessary and cumbersome impediments to the delivery of such services; and

3. Better provide for the expeditious, coordinated and cooperative delivery of services by establishing a uniform system of rules, procedures and forms for the maintenance, transfer and release of confidential information to be used by state, county and private agencies, boards of education, and technology center districts, pursuant to the provisions of this act.

B. For the purpose of this act, "confidential information" means any information regarding a child receiving services supported in whole or in part by state or federal funds, a family member of such child, or other persons residing in the home of such child, and which is required by state or federal law or regulation to be maintained in a confidential manner.

C. Nothing in this act shall be construed to authorize the release of confidential information except pursuant to an informed consent as provided in Section 620.4 of this title, a court order, or as otherwise provided by law.

Added by Laws 1990, c. 330, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1990. Amended by Laws 2001, c. 33, § 6, eff. July 1, 2001.