HCS SCS SB 61 -- USE OF SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBERS; MILITARY
DISCHARGE PAPERS

This bill limits the use of a person's Social Security number and
closes an individual's military records that have been recorded
at a county recorder's office.

The bill prohibits any person or entity from publicly displaying
a person's Social Security number or requiring a person to send
his or her Social Security number over the Internet, unless the
number is encrypted or otherwise made secure.  This provision
applies to the use of Social Security numbers on or after July 1,
2006.  However, those entities that were using a person's Social
Security number prior to that date may continue to use it if the
use was consistent or if they provide an annual disclosure that
informs the individual that he or she has the right to stop the
use of his or her Social Security number.  This provision does
not apply to government agencies or to records that are required
to be open records pursuant to law.

Regarding an individual's military records, the bill prohibits
county recorders from providing recorded military discharge
records to anyone except authorized parties.  Authorized parties
include the person who is the subject of the records; the
subject's relatives, attorney, or guardian; any person with
written authorization from any of these parties; or a government
agency.  An authorized party must submit a notarized request form
to the recorder to obtain the records.  Only the name of a person
with a recorded military discharge record will be available to
the public without authorization.

County recorders may refuse to accept any military discharge
document that appears to be altered or that does not contain an
original signature of a military officer or a government agency
official or any document that is not a certified copy of a record
from a government agency.  County recorders may not charge a fee
for accepting or providing military discharge records or for
providing the notarized request form needed to obtain the
records.

The bill also prohibits the use or reproduction of military
discharge records for any commercial purpose.

The bill has an effective date of January 1, 2005.

Missouri House of Representatives
Last Updated July 25, 2003 at 10:13 am