Missouri Revised Statutes

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 208.120 (2026)

Records, when evidence, restrictions on disclosure

✓ current as of May 2026

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208.120. Records, when evidence, restrictions on disclosure — penalty. — 1. For the protection of applicants and recipients, all officers and employees of the state of Missouri are prohibited, except as hereinafter provided, from disclosing any information obtained by them in the discharge of their official duties relative to the identity of applicants for or recipients of benefits or the contents of any records, files, papers, and communications, except in proceedings or investigations where the eligibility of an applicant to receive benefits, or the amount received or to be received by any recipient, is called into question, or for the purposes directly connected with the administration of public assistance. In any judicial proceedings, except such proceedings as are directly concerned with the administration of these programs, such information obtained in the discharge of official duties relative to the identity of applicants for or recipients of benefits, and records, files, papers, communications and their contents shall be confidential and not admissible in evidence.

2. The family support division shall in each county welfare office maintain monthly a report showing the name and address of all recipients certified by such county welfare office to receive public assistance benefits, together with the amount paid to each recipient during the preceding month, and each such report and information contained therein shall be open to public inspection at all times during the regular office hours of the county welfare office; provided, however, that all information regarding applicants or recipients other than names, addresses and amounts of grants shall be considered as confidential.

3. It shall be unlawful for any person, association, firm, corporation or other agency to solicit, disclose, receive, make use of or authorize, knowingly permit, participate in or acquiesce in the use of any name or lists of names for commercial or political purposes of any nature; or for any name or list of names of recipients secured from such report in the county welfare office to be published in any manner. Anyone willfully or knowingly violating any provisions of this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor. If the violation is by other than an individual, the penalty may be adjudged against any officer, agent, employee, servant or other person of the association, firm, corporation or other agency who committed or participated in such violation and is found guilty thereof.

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(L. 1941 p. 646 § 9414a, A.L. 1951 p. 754, A.L. 1953 p. 636, A.L. 1973 S.B. 325, A.L. 2014 H.B. 1299 Revision)

Notes of Decisions

Cited in 5 cases, 1952–2016 · leading case: Est. of West v. Moffatt, 32 S.W.3d 648 (Mo. Ct. App. 2000).

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Est. of West v. Moffatt, 32 S.W.3d 648 (Mo. Ct. App. 2000). · cites it 5× “West that it claimed were confidential and inadmissible in a judicial proceeding under sections 208.120 and 208.155. The Estate asserted the objection as a “continuing objection,” and the court sustained the objection.”

Jones v. Giannola, 252 S.W.2d 660 (Mo. Ct. App. 1952). · cites it 4× “" Upon objection of plaintiff's counsel that "It's contrary to law" the trial court refused to permit the witness to testify, for the reason that under Section 208.120 RSMo 1949, V.A.M.S, any testimony the witness might give would subject him to the possibility of a misdemeanor…”

Peine v. Sater, 289 S.W.2d 101 (Mo. 1956). · cites it 3× “nvestigator or case worker for the Department of Health and Welfare, who visited plaintiff on February 1, 1954, testified that at that time plaintiff was very ill, extremely nervous, and in a state of hysteria because of a certain “problem confronting her” (the witness did not…”

Librach v. Cooper, 778 S.W.2d 351 (Mo. Ct. App. 1989). “…of Revenue records, §§ 32.057(1) and (2); reports relating to nursing home residents, § 198.070(7); welfare records, § 208.120.”

Douglas, Haun & Heidemann, P.C. v. Missouri Dep't of Soc. Servs., 500 S.W.3d 872 (Mo. Ct. App. 2016). · cites it 2× “2 provides: The family , support division shall in each county welfare office maintain monthly a report showing the name and address of all recipients certified by such county welfare office to receive public assistance benefits, together with the amount paid to each recipient…”

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