Attorney General Opinions
Relating to County Government

2002 Records

A county register who decides to make public records available on the Internet may remove military discharge records from the Internet while continuing to make other types of public records available on the Internet. Opinion No. 02-133 (December 18, 2002).

In an opinion concerning a new law prohibiting state departments from disclosing a person’s social security number (SSN) without the person’s permission, the Attorney General discusses the state and federal laws governing the collection and disclosure of SSNs, including the Federal Privacy Act of 1974. The Federal Privacy Act prohibits federal, state, and local government agencies from denying any right, benefit or privilege because of the person’s refusal to disclose his or her SSN unless the disclosure is required by federal law, or the disclosure to any federal, state or local agency was required by statute or regulation adopted prior to January 1, 1975 to verify the individual’s identity. The Privacy Act also requires that the agency requesting the SSN inform the person whether the disclosure is voluntary or mandatory, under what authority it is requested, and what uses will be made of it. Opinion No. 02-016 (February 6, 2002).

In an opinion concerning a new law prohibiting state departments from disclosing a person’s social security number (SSN) without the person’s permission, the Attorney General discusses the state and federal laws governing the collection and disclosure of SSNs, including the Federal Privacy Act of 1974. The Federal Privacy Act prohibits federal, state, and local government agencies from denying any right, benefit or privilege because of the person’s refusal to disclose his or her SSN unless the disclosure is required by federal law, or the disclosure to any federal, state or local agency was required by statute or regulation adopted prior to January 1, 1975 to verify the individual’s identity. The Privacy Act also requires that the agency requesting the SSN inform the person whether the disclosure is voluntary or mandatory, under what authority it is requested, and what uses will be made of it. Opinion No. 02-016 (February 6, 2002).