(1) The employment security department shall have the right to disclose information or records deemed private and confidential under this chapter to any private person or organization when such disclosure is necessary to permit private contracting parties to assist in the operation and management of the department in instances where certain departmental functions may be delegated to private parties to increase the department's efficiency or quality of service to the public. The private persons or organizations shall use the information or records solely for the purpose for which the information was disclosed and shall be bound by the same rules of privacy and confidentiality as employment security department employees.

     (2) Nothing in this section shall be construed as limiting or restricting the effect of RCW 42.56.070(9).

     (3) The misuse or unauthorized release of records or information deemed private and confidential under this chapter by any private person or organization to which access is permitted by this section shall subject the person or organization to a civil penalty of five thousand dollars and other applicable sanctions under state and federal law. Suit to enforce this section shall be brought by the attorney general and the amount of any penalties collected shall be paid into the employment security department administrative contingency fund. The attorney general may recover reasonable attorneys' fees for any action brought to enforce this section.

[2005 c 274 § 323; 1996 c 79 § 2; 1977 ex.s. c 153 § 8.]

NOTES:

     Part headings not law -- Effective date--2005 c 274: See RCW 42.56.901 and 42.56.902.

     Conflict with federal requirements -- Effective date -- 1996 c 79: See notes following RCW 50.13.060.