Section 51-1-32 - Disclosure of information; penalty.
51-1-32. Disclosure of information; penalty.
A. Information obtained from any employing unit or individual pursuant to the administration of the Unemployment Compensation Law [51-1-1 NMSA 1978] and determinations as to benefit rights of any individual are confidential and shall not be disclosed or be open to public inspection in any manner revealing the individual's or employing unit's identity, except that such information may be made available to those designated persons and agencies, and for purposes specified in regulations issued by the secretary.
B. Information will be provided from the records of the department only pursuant to an agreement which specifies in addition to other requirements established by the secretary:
(1) the express purpose for which the information will be used;
(2) assurances that the requesting party will protect the confidentiality of the information against unauthorized use or disclosure;
(3) assurances that the requesting agency will reciprocate on a continuing basis in providing information requested by the department in the administration of employment and unemployment compensation programs; and
(4) the obligation of the requesting party or agency to pay to the department the reasonable cost, as determined by the secretary, of providing the information.
C. Any employee or member of the department or board of review who, in violation of the provisions of this section, makes any disclosure of information obtained from any employing unit or individual in the administration of the Unemployment Compensation Law or any person who has obtained any list of applicants for work or of claimants or recipients of benefits under the Unemployment Compensation Law who uses or permits the use of such list for any political purpose shall be fined not less than twenty dollars ($20.00) or more than two hundred dollars ($200) or imprisoned for not more than ninety days or both.