DHSS Web Privacy Policy

Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services Web Privacy Policy
You have entered the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) web site, an official Missouri State Government System which may be used only for authorized purposes. Thank you for visiting us!

DHSS is committed to protecting the privacy rights of Missouri's citizens. These rights are ensured through the Privacy Act, other federal statutes, and DHSS policies and practices.

Our Internet policy is:

1) We will not collect personal information about you just because you visit this site.

In order to improve the usefulness of our web site for our visitors, we automatically collect and maintain statistical information from our site's data logs that concern network traffic flow and volume. This information consists of:

1. the name of the domain from which the visitor accesses the Internet (e.g., "a company.com"; "a school.edu"; or "an agency.gov");
2. the Internet Protocol Number; and
3. the date and time the DHSS web site is visited.

This information does not identify individual visitors. It is retained for a maximum of 7 days.

2) DHSS does not use cookies. A cookie is a file placed on a visitor's hard drive that allows the web site to monitor the individual's use of the site.

No attempts are made to identify individual users unless illegal behavior is suspected. So that this service remains available to you and all other visitors, we monitor network traffic to identify unauthorized attempts to upload or change information or otherwise cause damage to the web service. Use of this system constitutes consent to such monitoring and auditing. Unauthorized attempts to upload information and/or change information on this web site are strictly prohibited and are subject to prosecution under the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act of 1986 and Title 18 U.S.C. Sec.1001 and 1030.

3) We use these web pages as a public service to provide access to specific de-identified health data, information pertaining to the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, DHSS policies, educational materials, forms that can be downloaded, and programs.

These web pages also offer you the opportunity to ask questions, request information, or provide comments. Use of the comments option is voluntary and may require an email address. We will only use information you provide for the reasons you provided it.

4) Any information we collect and maintain in the course of responding to you will be handled in accordance with the access and privacy protection requirements of the Privacy Act and the Freedom of Information Act. For further information regarding these statutes: The Freedom of Information Act, 5 U.S.C. §552, http://www.usdoj.gov/oip/foia_updates/Vol_XVII_4/page2.htm, The Privacy Act, 5 U.S.C. §552a, http://www.usdoj.gov/foia/privstat.htm.

5) We will not share the information you give us with anyone unless required by law. We also will not sell your information.

6) We will not email personal information as part of our response to you. The confidentiality of Internet transmissions is not guaranteed.

It is up to you if you want to assume the risk of an unauthorized person learning your email address or any personal information you provide. You may use the Department Organization information provided on the DHSS home page for further information on contacting specific DHSS programs by telephone or regular mail.