252.225.  Telephone, statewide toll-free numbers for violation reports — confidentiality of reports, exceptions — false reports or unauthorized release of confidential information, penalties. — 1.  The department of conservation may maintain a telephone service operating at all times, capable of receiving and recording reports of violations of sections 252.010 to 252.240, and of the conservation commission's rules and regulations.  This service shall receive reports over a single, statewide toll-free number.

  2.  All reports and records made pursuant to this section and maintained by the department pursuant to this section shall be confidential.  Information shall not be made available to any individual or institution except to:

  (1)  Appropriate staff of the department;

  (2)  A grand jury, prosecuting attorney or law enforcement officer involved in the investigation of a violation of sections 252.010 to 252.240, or the commission rules and regulations or in other court proceedings regarding violations of sections 252.010 to 252.240 or the commission's rules and regulations;

  (3)  Any person engaged in a bona fide research purpose, with the permission of the director of the department of conservation; provided, however, that no information identifying any person mentioned in the report shall be made available to the researcher; and

  (4)  Any person who is the subject of a report of a violation under this section.

  3.  Any person who violates the provisions of this section, or who permits or encourages the unauthorized dissemination of information contained in reports and records made pursuant to this section shall be guilty of a class A misdemeanor.

  4.  Any person convicted of filing a false report shall be guilty of a class B misdemeanor and may be fined up to five hundred dollars.

  5.  All information which concerns a person who is the subject of a report under this section and which is made available to another person or institution outside the department of conservation shall also be disclosed to the subject of the report when such information is disseminated, except that the department may obscure or remove the name and other identifying information of the person who made the report.