Summary

Prohibits USDA and Farm Service Agency (FSA) officers and employees from disclosing information provided by applicants or recipients of FSA-administered programs to certain categories of outside or detailed federal personnel, while allowing limited exceptions. Creates criminal penalties (up to $10,000 fine, up to 1 year imprisonment, or both) for anyone who knowingly violates the new privacy prohibition.

• Makes disclosure of FSA applicant/recipient information to special government employees and detailees unlawful.
• Allows disclosure only when data are de-identified (aggregate/statistical) or when a provider gives voluntary consent.
• Creates criminal penalties: up to $10,000 fine, up to 1 year imprisonment, or both for knowing violations.
• Applies to the Secretary of Agriculture and any FSA officer or employee handling program data.
• Does not change program eligibility, benefits, or add funding—focuses solely on privacy and disclosure rules.
• Consent for disclosure cannot be required as a condition of receiving benefits or participating in programs.
• Targets protection of borrower/recipient privacy in FSA-administered agricultural programs.
• Limits how outside or temporarily assigned federal personnel can access identifiable participant data.