1.  Information provided upon request.  Upon request, the department shall provide timely access electronically to income records and program enrollment information of a recipient of assistance under this subtitle to state agencies, quasi-state agencies or other entities for purposes of the administration of and application for the low-income home energy assistance program described in Title 30‑A, section 4722, subsection 1, paragraph W; the low-income assistance program described in Title 35‑A, section 3214, subsection 2; a local, state or federal subsidized housing program; and an energy efficiency program administered by an entity approved by the department or any other entity or program that, in the judgment of the department, provides services or resources that substantially promote the health and well-being of recipients of its services.  

2.  Authorization required.  Before providing any information pursuant to this section, the department must receive express authorization from the recipient agreeing to the release of that information in accordance with federal and state law. The department shall develop a simplified process to give the recipient the choice of authorizing the release of information pursuant to this section at the time of application or recertification for assistance under this subtitle or at another time of the individual's choice.  

3.  Maintenance fees.  The department may charge a reasonable annual maintenance fee to an entity that receives information pursuant to this section.  

4.  Duties of recipients of information.  Records and program enrollment information obtained pursuant to this section may be used only in accordance with federal and state law and this section. An entity that receives records is responsible for the protection and security of personally identifiable information contained in the records.  

5.  Rules.  The department shall adopt rules to carry out the purposes of this section. Rules adopted pursuant to this subsection are routine technical rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2‑A, except that rules adopted pursuant to subsection 3 are major substantive rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2‑A.