Unemployment insurance: disclosure of information.

Existing law provides that information obtained in the administration of the Unemployment Insurance Code is confidential and is for the exclusive use and information of the director in the discharge of his or her duties. Existing law authorizes an employee to receive his or her wage information upon written request by the employee. Existing law provides that a person who knowingly accesses, uses, or discloses confidential information without authorization is guilty of a misdemeanor. This bill would allow the Director of Employment Development to electronically transmit wage information of an employee to a creditor, upon the execution of a release by an employee, if specified requirements are met. By expanding the crime of knowingly and wrongfully accessing, using, or disclosing specified information, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.