252.225. Telephone, statewide toll-free numbers for violation reports--confidentiality of reports, exceptions--false reports or unauthorized release of confidential information, penalties.

MISSOURI STATUTES AND CODES

252.225. Telephone, statewide toll-free numbers for violation reports--confidentiality of reports, exceptions--false reports or unauthorized release of confidential information, penalties.

Telephone, statewide toll-free numbers for violationreports--confidentiality of reports, exceptions--false reports orunauthorized release of confidential information, penalties.

252.225. 1. The department of conservation may maintain atelephone service operating at all times, capable of receivingand recording reports of violations of sections 252.010 to252.240, and of the conservation commission's rules andregulations. This service shall receive reports over a single,statewide toll-free number.

2. All reports and records made pursuant to this sectionand maintained by the department pursuant to this section shallbe confidential. Information shall not be made available to anyindividual or institution except to:

(1) Appropriate staff of the department;

(2) A grand jury, prosecuting attorney or law enforcementofficer involved in the investigation of a violation of sections252.010 to 252.240, or the commission rules and regulations orin other court proceedings regarding violations of sections252.010 to 252.240 or the commission's rules and regulations;

(3) Any person engaged in a bona fide research purpose,with the permission of the director of the department ofconservation; provided, however, that no information identifyingany person mentioned in the report shall be made available tothe researcher; and

(4) Any person who is the subject of a report of aviolation under this section.

3. Any person who violates the provisions of this section,or who permits or encourages the unauthorized dissemination ofinformation contained in reports and records made pursuant tothis section shall be guilty of a class A misdemeanor.

4. Any person convicted of filing a false report shall beguilty of a class B misdemeanor and may be fined up to fivehundred dollars.

5. All information which concerns a person who is thesubject of a report under this section and which is madeavailable to another person or institution outside thedepartment of conservation shall also be disclosed to thesubject of the report when such information is disseminated,except that the department may obscure or remove the name andother identifying information of the person who made the report.