2010 Michigan Compiled Laws
Chapter 400 - SOCIAL SERVICES
Act 280 of 1939 - THE SOCIAL WELFARE ACT (400.1 - 400.122)
280-1939-COUNTY-DEPARTMENT-OF-SOCIAL-SERVICES - COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES (400.45...400.122)
Section 400.64 - Application and records considered public records; inspection; public access; uttering, publishing, or using names, addresses, or other information; confidentiality; alphabetical index file; inquiry as to name or amount of assistance; making available certain information to public utility or municipality; disclosure of information; violation; penalty; notice of aid to deserted or abandoned child.

Sec. 64.

(1) Notwithstanding sections 2(6), 35, 45(6), and 46(6), applications and records concerning an applicant for or recipient of aid or relief under the terms of this act, except medical assistance, shall be considered public records and shall be open to inspection by persons authorized by the federal or state government, the state department of social services, or the officials of the county, city, or district involved, in connection with their official acts and by the general public as to the names of recipients and the amounts of aid or relief granted. General public access shall be restricted to persons who present a signed application containing the name, the address, and the occupation of the persons signing the application. A person shall not utter or publish the names, addresses, or other information regarding applicants or recipients except in cases where fraud is charged or wrongful grant of aid is alleged. A person shall not use the names, addresses, or other information regarding applicants or recipients for political or commercial purposes.

(2) Records relating to persons applying for, receiving or formerly receiving medical services under the categorical assistance programs of this act shall be confidential and shall be used only for purposes directly and specifically related to the administration of the medical program.

(3) In each county, the department of social services shall maintain an alphabetical index file in its office of cases receiving assistance through the department. When a citizen makes a personal visit to an office during regular office hours, and makes inquiry as to the name or amount of assistance being received by a person, the requester shall be given the information requested in the manner prescribed by the freedom of information act, Act No. 442 of the Public Acts of 1976, being sections 15.231 to 15.246 of the Michigan Compiled Laws.

(4) Subject to restrictions prescribed by federal regulations governing aid to families with dependent children or other federal programs, rules of the state department of social services, or otherwise, for preventing the disclosure of confidential information to any person not authorized by law to receive the confidential information, the state department of social services shall make available to a public utility regulated by the Michigan public service commission or a municipality information concerning applicants for, and recipients of, public assistance, the disclosure of which is necessary and the use of which is strictly limited to the purpose of a public utility's administering a program created by statute or by order of the Michigan public service commission and intended to assist applicants for, or recipients of, public assistance in defraying their energy costs.

(5) The state department may disclose information regarding applicants for, and recipients of, assistance under this act in connection with the administration of assistance under this act, including the implementation and administration of section 60a, to the extent that such disclosure in regard to applicants for and recipients of federally funded assistance is in accordance with applicable federal law and regulations regarding disclosure of confidential information concerning applicants for or recipients of federally funded assistance.

(6) Except as prescribed in section 61(2) and 61(3), a person who violates this section shall upon conviction be guilty of a misdemeanor, punishable by imprisonment for not more than 2 years, or by a fine of not more than $1,000.00, or both. If an employee of the state violates this section, the employee shall also be subject to dismissal from state employment subject to rules as established by the civil service commission.

(7) The county department of social services shall cause prompt notice to be given to appropriate law enforcement officials of the furnishing of aid to dependent children in each case where a child has been deserted or abandoned by a parent and aid is being furnished to the child.

History: 1939, Act 280, Imd. Eff. June 16, 1939 ;-- CL 1948, 400.64 ;-- Am. 1952, Act 267, Eff. Sept. 18, 1952 ;-- Am. 1953, Act 197, Eff. Oct. 2, 1953 ;-- Am. 1965, Act 401, Imd. Eff. Oct. 27, 1965 ;-- Am. 1968, Act 169, Imd. Eff. Jan. 17, 1968 ;-- Am. 1978, Act 224, Imd. Eff. June 13, 1978 ;-- Am. 1978, Act 576, Imd. Eff. Jan. 2, 1979 ;-- Am. 1984, Act 26, Eff. Apr. 12, 1984 ;-- Am. 1985, Act 140, Imd. Eff. Oct. 28, 1985
Popular Name: Act 280