2012 Wyoming Statutes
TITLE 42 - WELFARE
CHAPTER 2 - PUBLIC ASSISTANCE AND SOCIAL SERVICES
42-2-111. Prohibited disclosure and use of records; penalty; judicial discovery.

(a) Except as provided in this section, no person shall disclose, receive, use or knowingly permit or participate in the use of any information derived from records maintained pursuant to law or acquired in the performance of duties under this article for purposes not directly related to the administration of this article.

(b) A violation of subsection (a) of this section is a misdemeanor.

(c) In accordance with the Wyoming Rules of Civil Procedure, any county or district court may subpoena the records maintained under this article and require the testimony of personnel involved in the administration of this article which is pertinent to any proceeding involving the:

(i) Custody, welfare or interest of any minor receiving public assistance and social services under this article;

(ii) Termination of parental rights as provided by law;

(iii) Prosecution of any person for a crime connected with obtaining public assistance and social services;

(iv) Foreclosure of liens held by the department.

(d) Upon request of a federal, state or local law enforcement officer as defined by federal statute and W.S. 9-1-701(a)(vi), the department may furnish the requesting officer the current address of any recipient under the personal opportunities with employment responsibilities (POWER) program if the requesting officer:

(i) Furnishes the department with the name of the recipient; and

(ii) Notifies the department that the recipient:

(A) Is a fleeing felon as described in paragraph (iii) of this subsection or has information necessary for the requesting officer to conduct the officer's official duties; and

(B) The location or apprehension of the recipient is within the requesting officer's duties.

(iii) For purposes of this section, a fleeing felon is defined as an individual who:

(A) Is fleeing to avoid prosecution, custody or confinement after conviction, under the laws of the jurisdiction from which the individual flees, for a crime or attempt to commit a crime, which is a felony under the laws of the jurisdiction from which the individual flees, or which, in the case of the state of New Jersey, is a high misdemeanor, or is violating a condition of probation or parole imposed under federal or state law; and

(B) Whose conduct as described in this subsection has not been pardoned by the president of the United States or the governor of the jurisdiction from which the felon flees.

(e) If the department learns of the location of a fleeing felon or of an individual who has an outstanding warrant for his arrest, the department shall notify the appropriate law enforcement agency. The department shall limit disclosure under this section by providing only the current address of the recipient under the personal opportunities with employment responsibilities (POWER) program.