Mississippi § 85-13-5 - Financial institution’s use of certain existing data match systems; immunity from liability; disclosure of certain information; violation by financial institution or employee.

§ 85-13-5. Financial institution’s use of certain existing data match systems; immunity from liability; disclosure of certain information; violation by financial institution or employee.

If a financial institution has a current data match system used in compliance with the child support data match system provided for in Section 43-19-48, the financial institution may use that system to comply with the provisions of this chapter. The department shall not require a financial institution to change the file format established with the Department of Human Services in order to comply with this chapter. A financial institution, including its directors, officers, employees, attorneys, accountants or other agents, is immune from any liability under any law or regulation to any person for the disclosure of information pursuant to this chapter and for the encumbrance, seizure, or surrender of any assets held by the financial institution in response to a levy issued by the department. A financial institution is not liable for any action taken in good faith to comply with the requirements of this section. Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, a financial institution furnishing a report or providing information to the commissioner is prohibited from disclosing to a depositor or an account holder that the name of the person has been received from or furnished to the commissioner; however, financial institutions may, but are not required to, disclose to their depositors or account holders that the department has the authority to request and receive certain identifying information provided for under this chapter for state tax collection purposes. Financial institutions may, but are not required to, notify a depositor of account holder of the receipt of a levy and imposition of a hold on the depositor’s or holder’s account. An authorized agent transmitting data electronically on behalf of financial institutions is subject to the same terms, conditions, and confidentiality provisions that apply to such institutions, as set forth in this chapter. If a financial institution or any employee of the financial institution willfully violates the provisions of this chapter, the financial institution is liable for the lesser of the amount in the account of the depositor or account holder on the date of submittal of the answer by the financial institution or the dollar amount listed on the levy. A financial institution may not disclose any information contained in a request for information by the commissioner except to authorized employees, agents or attorneys of the financial institution engaged in complying with the reporting requirements of this chapter or to authorized employees of the department. Employees of the financial institution may use the information only as required in performing their duties and may not otherwise copy, reproduce, retain, or store any information except as instructed in writing by the commissioner. Any electronic media files or other information acquired by the financial institutions from the commissioner will remain the property of the department and must be returned to the commissioner at the time the information reports are due, or at any other time designated by the commissioner. The department and the financial institution shall not be liable for any applicable early withdrawal penalties and/or any nonsufficient funds (NSF) fees on the obligor’s account(s). Notwithstanding any other law or rule to the contrary, the financial institution participating in the data match system may recover the costs associated with responding to a levy served upon it from the account of the depositor, per contractual agreement, and shall deduct this amount from the account of the depositor prior to transfer to the department. To support a data match, the department may disclose certain information relating to taxpayers against whom the department has filed a lien. The information includes the name and address of the taxpayer, the amount of the lien, and the person’s identification numbers, including the social security number and/or the Employers Identification Number (EIN). The department may use the information received from a financial institution under this chapter only for the purpose of enforcing the collection of taxes, fees, penalties and/or interest administered by the department. The department shall keep all information received from the financial institutions pursuant to this chapter confidential, and any employee, agent, or representative of the department is prohibited from disclosing that information to any other third party.