Montana Code 81-2-115. Confidentiality of information collected — exceptions
81-2-115. Confidentiality of information collected — exceptions. (1) Except as provided in subsections (2) through (4), all information regarding the testing of any livestock that is owned by or in the possession or custody of a livestock producer, livestock dealer as defined in 81-8-213, or livestock market as defined in 81-8-213 that is collected by the department:
Terms Used In Montana Code 81-2-115
- Discovery: Lawyers' examination, before trial, of facts and documents in possession of the opponents to help the lawyers prepare for trial.
- Evidence: Information presented in testimony or in documents that is used to persuade the fact finder (judge or jury) to decide the case for one side or the other.
- Person: includes a corporation or other entity as well as a natural person. See Montana Code 1-1-201
- Subpoena: A command to a witness to appear and give testimony.
- Writing: includes printing. See Montana Code 1-1-203
(a)must be held confidential by the department and its employees;
(b)is not a public record or public information as defined in 2-6-1002 and is exempt from disclosure; and
(c)is not subject to discovery or introduction into evidence in any civil action.
(2)For the purposes of this section, “livestock” has the meaning provided in 81-2-702.
(3)The administrator appointed pursuant to 81-1-301 may disclose information collected by the department from individual livestock producers, livestock dealers, or livestock markets for the purposes of the department’s animal health programs whenever in the administrator’s judgment the disclosure will assist in the implementation of the animal health programs. The administrator may disclose the information to another governmental entity pursuant to the conditions described in subsection (4) or if the governmental entity confirms in writing that the entity will maintain the confidentiality of the information.
(4)Animal disease diagnostic tests that identify the owner of the animal tested may not be disclosed unless:
(a)the administrator determines that disclosure is necessary to prevent the spread of an animal disease or to protect the public health;
(b)the owner gives written permission to disclose the information;
(c)the information is disclosed in actions or administrative proceedings commenced under the provisions of Title 81, chapter 2, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 30;
(d)disclosure is required by subpoena or court order; or
(e)the information is disclosed to a law enforcement agency in connection with the investigation or prosecution of criminal offenses.
(5)Upon release by the administrator or the board of any information to any other governmental entity or to any person, the administrator shall:
(a)notify the person to whom the information refers or pertains that the release has been made and the name of the governmental entity or person to whom the information was released; and
(b)provide to the person to whom the information refers a copy or summary of the information contained in the release.