1.    A social security number or federal tax identification number disclosed or contained in any record filed with the secretary of state is confidential. However, a social security     number or federal tax identification number may be released as authorized in this section or by other state or federal law.

2.    The secretary of state shall delete or obscure a social security or federal tax identification number before a copy of any record is released to the public. The secretary of state, or an employee, agent, or contractor of the secretary of state’s office, may not be held civilly or criminally liable for the inadvertent disclosure of a social security or federal tax identification number if the filer has placed the number in an improper field on the form prescribed by the secretary of state or the filer submitted a filing other than on the form prescribed by the secretary of state.

3.    The secretary of state or an employee, agent, or contractor of the secretary of state’s office may release a social security number or federal tax identification number to another public entity or the public entity’s agents, employees, or contractors if disclosure is necessary for the receiving public entity to perform the receiving public entity’s duties and responsibilities. The receiving public entity and the receiving public entity’s agents, employees, and contractors shall maintain the confidential status of the social security number or federal tax identification number.