§ 19-270. Confidentiality of Department of Defense Form 214 - Duties - Liability.

A.  The county clerk shall keep any Department of Defense Form 214 (DD Form 214) filed with the clerk, including any DD Form 214 that was filed before the effective date of this act, separate from records available for public inspection and shall not make the DD Form 214 available to any person except as provided in this section.  A record of the names of veterans who have filed DD Forms 214 with the clerk shall be made available for public inspection.

B.  The county clerk may authorize the viewing or copying of a veteran’s DD Form 214 only by the veteran, the veteran's spouse or child, a guardian for or a person having power of attorney for the veteran, spouse, or child upon presentation of a court order showing the appointment, the executor or administrator of the estate of the veteran or spouse upon presentation of a court order showing the appointment, a representative of the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, a funeral director upon presentation of a contract signed by the person responsible for the funeral costs for the veteran, or a person authorized by the court to view or copy the DD Form 214 upon presentation of the court order.  The clerk shall record the names and addresses of all persons viewing or copying a DD Form 214.

C.  A county clerk shall not be liable or responsible for any harm or damages that may occur as a result of any person obtaining, copying or viewing a DD Form 214.

Added by Laws 2002, c. 478, § 3, eff. July 1, 2002.