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confidential information in those records. During that | consultation, the department, commission or agency shall | inform the Auditor of all standards and procedures set forth | in department, commission or agency policies or agreements to | protect information considered by the department, commission | or agency to be confidential or privileged. The Auditor shall | limit access to information that is privileged or confidential | by appropriate methods, which may include examining records | without copying or removing them from the department, | commission or agency. |
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| B. In making information available to the Auditor, the | department, commission or agency that is subject to the | audit or investigation or that provides the information may | remove information that identifies individuals or | institutions to protect privileged or confidential | information, provided the information necessary for the | Auditor to fulfill the Auditor's official duties is | disclosed to the Auditor. If names are removed, another | unique identifier must be inserted to enable verification of | audit results. |
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| C. Documentary or other information obtained by the Auditor | during the course of an audit or investigation is privileged | or confidential to the same extent under law that that | information would be privileged or confidential in the | possession of the department, commission or agency providing | the information. Any privilege or statutory provision, | including penalties, concerning the confidentiality or | obligation not to disclose information in the possession of | any department, commission or agency or their officers or | employees applies equally to the Auditor. Privileged or | confidential information obtained by the Auditor during the | course of an audit or investigation may be disclosed only as | provided by law and with the agreement of the department, | commission or agency subject to the audit or investigation | that provided the information. |
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| D. If the Auditor accesses information classified as | privileged or confidential pursuant to department, | commission or agency policy or procedures or by agreement, | the Auditor shall comply with the department, commission or | agency standards or procedures for handling that | information. The Auditor may include in the audit working | papers only such excerpts from information classified as | confidential or privileged as may be necessary to complete | the audit, provided the use does not infringe on department | policies or procedures applicable to the original provision | of information. |
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