When used in this chapter, the following words and phrases shall have the following meanings:

(1) CLAIM INFORMATION. Data related to whether an individual is receiving, has received, or has made application for unemployment compensation, the amount of such compensation being received or to be received by the individual, and the individual's current or most recent home address.

(2) COMMISSIONER. The Commissioner of the State of Alabama, Department of Human Resources.

(3) CUSTODIAN OF RECORDS. The person within the Department of Labor authorized to maintain the data collected under this chapter, including, but not limited to, all employment hiring data entered into the State Directory of New Hires, wage information, and unemployment claim and compensation information.

(4) DEPARTMENT. The State of Alabama, Department of Industrial Relations.

(5) EMPLOYEE. An individual in the employ of another who performs a service for hire and receives wages. For purposes of this chapter, the term "employee" shall not include an individual employed by a federal, state, or local agency performing intelligence or counterintelligence functions if the head of the agency determines that to consider the individual as an "employee" for purposes of this chapter could endanger the safety of the individual or compromise an ongoing investigation or intelligence mission.

(6) EMPLOYMENT SECURITY RECORDS. Information maintained by the Department of Labor's Employment Service Division and Unemployment Compensation Division relating to an individual's search for employment and unemployment benefits.

(7) EMPLOYER. A person or entity, including a state or local government entity or labor organization, who employs an individual to perform a service for hire and pays wages directly to the individual.

(8) FOOD STAMP OVERISSUANCE. The receipt by an individual of food stamp benefits in excess of the amount the individual is entitled to receive, as authorized under the Federal Food Stamp Act of 1977.

(9) LABOR ORGANIZATION. As defined in Section 2(5) of the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) as "any organization of any kind, or any agency or employer representation committee or plan in which employees participate and which exists for the purpose, in whole or in part of dealing with employers concerning grievances, labor disputes, wages, rate of pay, hours of employment or conditions of work." Section 453(a)(2)(B)(ii), Social Security Act, provides that "labor organization" shall have this meaning and shall also include any entity, also known as "hiring hall," which is used by the organization and an employer to carry out requirements described in Section 8(f)(3) of the NLRA of an agreement between the organization and the employer.

(10) NATIONAL DIRECTORY OF NEW HIRES. A directory maintained at the federal level to receive certain data and information from the states as required pursuant to Section 453(i)(1) of the Social Security Act and other federal statutes.

(11) NEW HIRE. An individual who is employed by a particular employer for the first time.

(12) RECALL. An individual who was temporarily separated from an employer but who is called back to work for that same employer.

(13) REHIRE. An individual who was separated from an employer on other than a temporary basis but who is returning to work for that same employer.

(14) SECRETARY. The Secretary of the State of Alabama, Department of Labor.

(15) SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE. The Secretary of the Federal Department of Agriculture.

(16) SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES. The Secretary of the Federal Department of Health and Human Services.

(17) SECRETARY OF LABOR. The Secretary of the Federal Department of Labor.

(18) SOCIAL SECURITY ACT. The Federal Social Security Act.

(19) STATE. The State of Alabama.

(20) STATE DIRECTORY OF NEW HIRES. A directory containing the name, address, Social Security number, and date of hire of each newly hired, recalled, or rehired individual, as reported by employers to the Department of Labor. This directory shall also contain the name, address, state and federal identification numbers of the employer.

(21) UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION. Any compensation payable under Section 25-4-1 et seq., and other related federal statutes, including amounts payable by the secretary pursuant to an agreement under any federal law providing for compensation, assistance, or allowances with respect to unemployment.

(22) WAGE INFORMATION. Data related to the compensation an individual receives for employment, including wages paid to the individual, the individual's Social Security number, and the name, address, state and federal employer identification numbers of the individual's employer.