Maine law limits sharing of personal records with specific exceptions

Maine State Police keep identifying information in their crash database confidential, with specified exceptions. The crash rules cover databases maintained by Maine State Police or databases they administer or contribute to. People receiving license plate numbers must give a sworn statement promising not to use them to identify or contact someone or share them with anyone else. Another exception applies under a referenced law that is not reproduced here. Crash data that do not identify people are not confidential. Charges for copies are outside the referenced public-record fee limits. The Secretary of State may protect nongovernment vehicle records after a criminal justice official submits a written request showing a public safety reason. Protection for a nongovernment vehicle's records lasts for a specified period that cannot extend beyond the current registration's expiration.

The licensing board protects covered applicants' and license holders' personal contact details and health information. Covered applicants and license holders must provide professional and personal contact details. The board must remove confidential information before allowing inspection or copying. Home addresses and phone numbers are public if supplied as public contact information. Sharing is allowed as permitted by this section or required by law, including with government licensing or disciplinary authorities and health care providers reviewing a physician's employment or privileges.

The licensing administrator keeps covered licensing and financial records confidential. Investment firms provide records about suspected or attempted financial exploitation of covered adults to designated agencies. Protected licensing records include investigations and financial reports. The investment-record rule covers broker-dealers and investment advisers, and only adults eligible under the referenced law. The administrator may share information with state or federal agencies that promise in writing to protect it, or when release is reasonably needed to protect the public. Investment firms provide relevant records to Maine's Department of Health and Human Services and law enforcement as part of a referral or upon an agency's request during an investigation. Records shared about financial exploitation remain confidential. The rule does not limit the administrator's legal authority to examine investment firms' records.

Employers keep information from employee and applicant testing confidential unless a permitted exception applies. The rule covers all information an employer obtains through the testing process for an employee or job applicant. Without the tested person's consent, permitted recipients are that person, necessary employer staff, and the treatment or rehabilitation provider specified in the law. State or federal law may permit or require disclosure. The information may also be used in disputes or proceedings about the test or its results.

DNA records may be disclosed to specified investigators, officials identifying remains, and people charged because of a DNA database search. Other permitted recipients include the FBI for storing and maintaining its DNA database, and medical examiners or coroners identifying remains. The charged-person rule covers criminal and juvenile cases. Criminal justice and law enforcement agencies and their forensic laboratories may receive records for identification that supports official criminal investigations. People charged because of a database search may receive only their own records and other records they are entitled to under Maine's criminal court rules.