SECTION 55.501. Release of Information

(a) Upon request to the IV-D agency by an authorized person or his or her authorized representative, the IV-D agency may provide the following information:

(1) the status of pending or possible legal action regarding a case involving the authorized person;

(2) copies of legal documents that have been filed with the court and that are maintained in the files and records of the agency, so long as the authorized person is a party and the documents have not been sealed by the court or there is no order prohibiting the release of the documents;

(3) copies of correspondence or documents previously provided to the IV-D agency by the authorized person making the request;

(4) copies of correspondence or documents previously provided by the IV-D agency to the authorized person making the request;

(5) records of child support payments and any arrearage balances regarding the authorized person's child support case;

(6) amount submitted to a credit reporting agency regarding the authorized person's child support obligation; and

(7) any other information authorized to be released pursuant to federal statute or rule.

(b) As used herein, "authorized person" means:

(1) the applicant or recipient, or former applicant or recipient, of IV-D services;

(2) the custodial parent;

(3) the noncustodial parent;

(4) the alleged or presumed father;

(5) the obligor or obligee;

(6) the authorized representative of any of the above, as defined herein.

(c) As used herein, the term authorized representative means:

(1) a private attorney representing an authorized person as identified herein;

(2) a person designated in writing by an authorized person, including a public official, so long as the designation has not been rescinded by the authorized person.

Source Note: The provisions of this §55.501 adopted to be effective December 10, 2000, 25 TexReg 11929; amended to be effective March 5, 2008, 33 TexReg 1762; amended to be effective March 15, 2010, 35 TexReg 2152