Confidentiality and Diversity Sensitivity

Confidentiality and Safeguarding Information

Information received from all parties and maintained in case files is confidential, regardless of where it is maintained. Except as otherwise designated by law, the information may not be shared or used for any purpose other than processing support cases, consistent with New Jersey Statutes Annotated (N.J.S.A.) 44:10-70, N.J.S.A. 44:10-47, and N.J.A.C. 10:110-1.7. In accordance with the confidentiality provisions of 26 U.S.C. §§ 6103(a), 7213(a), and 7431 of the Internal Revenue Code, the disclosure of Federal tax information is prohibited. Under these statutes, the misuse or sharing of information related to Federal tax information by staff is subject to termination, specific penalties, fines, and/or imprisonment. Physical audits are also performed by Federal agencies and internal auditing groups to ensure that all staff members and State agencies are following confidentiality guidelines. The disclosure of non-IV-D information in court files is governed by New Jersey Court Rule (Rule) 1:38.

Diversity and Sensitivity

The staff provides services to a racially, culturally, educationally, and economically diverse population. In addition, parties to a case (as well as their family and friends) can become emotional because child support issues involve important personal matters, their children, and their finances. Staff needs to be helpful, sensitive, respectful, and nonjudgmental when dealing with customers in child support matters. This includes providing information on the Child Support Enforcement Program to CPCustodial parent or partys or NCPNon-custodial parents whenever possible and necessary (e.g., providing a brochure to a CP to address a misunderstanding about the child support process). Ultimately, staff must always act in the best interest of the child.

Related Information

New Jersey Statutes Annotated (N.J.S.A.) 44:10-70, N.J.S.A. 44:10-47, and N.J.A.C. 10:110-1.7
26 U.S.C. §§ 6103(a), 7213(a), and 7431 of the Internal Revenue Code
New Jersey Court Rule (Rule) 1:38