§ 70a.10 - Solicitation of social security numbers.

(a) Neither the Department nor its component units shall deny to any individual any right, benefit or privilege provided by law because of such individual's refusal to disclose his social security number.

(b) The requirement set forth in paragraph (a) of this section shall not apply with respect to the disclosure of a social security number to the Department, or a component unit thereof, for inclusion in systems of records which were in existence prior to January 1, 1975, and such disclosure was required by statute, Executive order or regulation adopted prior to January 1, 1975, to verify the identity of an individual.

(c) Each component unit of the Department that requests an individual to disclose his social security number shall provide the individual, in writing, with the following information:

(1) The use or uses that may be made of the social security number;

(2) The statute or authority under which the social security number is solicited;

(3) Whether the disclosure of the social security number is mandatory or voluntary; and

(4) The consequences, if any, to an individual should he or she refuse to disclose the number.