41-7005. Confidentiality; communications; procedures; information

A. All correspondence and communication between the office and the department are confidential and privileged.

B. The office shall establish confidentiality rules and procedures for all information maintained by the office to ensure that the identity of a complainant remains confidential before, during and after an investigation to the greatest extent practicable.  The office may disclose a complainant's identifying information for the sole purpose of carrying out an investigation.

C. To the extent the office believes is reasonably necessary, the office:

1. Shall reveal information obtained in the course of an investigation to prevent reasonably certain death or substantial bodily harm.

2. May reveal information obtained in the course of an investigation to prevent the commission of a crime.

D. If the office believes it is necessary to reveal information pursuant to subsection C of this section, the office shall provide a copy of the intended disclosure to the department for review before releasing the information to any other person or entity. If the office receives personally identifying information about a person during the course of an investigation that the office determines is unrelated or unnecessary to the investigation, the office may not further disclose such information.