2.__Appearance.__An application for a stay of a court or administrative proceeding pursuant to the Soldiers' and Sailors' Civil Relief Act of 1940, 50 United States Code, as amended, or this section does not constitute an appearance for any purpose.

Sec. 4. 37-B MRSA §509 is enacted to read:

§509.__Confidentiality of military service records

1.__Certificate of release.__A certificate of release or discharge from active duty issued by the United States Government and filed for safekeeping with any state, county or local government authority is confidential for a period of 75 years following its filing.__During that 75-year period, it is unlawful for a person to permit inspection of the record, to disclose information contained in the record or to issue a copy of all or any part of the record except as authorized by this section or by court order.

2. Identification.__Upon presentation of proper identification, any of the following persons may examine a record filed pursuant to this section and obtain free of charge a copy or certified copy of all or part of the record:

A.__The person who is the subject of the record;

B.__The spouse or next of kin of the person who is the subject of the record;

C.__A person named in an appropriate power of attorney executed by the person who is the subject of the record;

D.__The administrator, executor, guardian or legal representative of the person who is the subject of the record;

E.__An attorney for any person specified in paragraphs A to D of this subsection; or

F.__A civilian employee or military member of the department when in the conduct of official duties.