Oklahoma Code § 56-183

Title 56. Poor Persons: Confidentiality of applications, information and records –
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Misuse of information.
A.  This section shall be known and may be cited as “Kelley’s
Law”.
B.  All applications, information and records concerning any
applicant or recipient obtained pursuant to law or as authorized by
law by the Department of Human Services or any other public or
private entity shall be confidential and shall be open to inspection
only:
1.  To persons duly authorized by the Department of Human
Services pursuant to rule promulgated in compliance with Article I
of the Administrative Procedures Act or by the United States in
connection with the performance of their official duties; or
2.  As otherwise authorized by law.

Provided, however, the Department of Human Services shall maintain a
process to allow an authorized representative of a client of the
Department of Human Services to have access to confidential
information when necessary for eligibility determination and the
appeals process.  For purposes of this section, “authorized
representative” shall mean any person designated by a client of the
Department of Human Services to review confidential information
about the client pertinent to eligibility determination and the
appeals process.
C.  The Developmental Disabilities Services Division of the
Department of Human Services shall require all authorized persons
accessing service recipient information within a home record to sign
a form certifying that they have been informed and understand the
penalties for misuse of confidential and protected information
within the home record.  The form shall include criminal penalties
related to identity theft.
D.  It shall be unlawful and a misdemeanor for any public
officer or employee, to furnish or permit to be taken off of the
records any information therein contained for commercial or
political purposes.
E.  It shall also be a Class D3 felony offense, punishable by
imprisonment as provided for in subsections B through F of Section
20P of Title 21 of the Oklahoma Statutes, for any person, firm or
corporation to publish, or to use for commercial or political
purposes, any list or names obtained through access to such
information or records.
Added by State Question No. 226, Initiative Petition No. 155, § 24,
adopted July 7, 1936.  Amended by Laws 1939, p. 92, § 16, emerg.
eff. May 9, 1939; Laws 1951, p. 159, § 6, emerg. eff. June 1, 1951;
Laws 1953, p. 504, § 1, emerg. eff. June 4, 1953; Laws 1967, c. 85,
§ 1, emerg. eff. April 18, 1967; Laws 1979, c. 30, § 16, emerg. eff.
April 6, 1979; Laws 1994, c. 16, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1994; Laws 1995,
c. 170, § 2, emerg. eff. May 8, 1995; Laws 1997, c. 133, § 498, eff.
July 1, 1999; Laws 1999, 1st Ex. Sess., c. 5, § 363, eff. July 1,
1999; Laws 2010, c. 88, § 1, eff. Nov. 1, 2010; Laws 2025, c. 486, §
718, eff. Jan. 1, 2026.

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