(1) For the protection of applicants and clients, the department and its respective officers and employees are prohibited, except as provided in subsection (2) of this section, from disclosing veteran discharge or separation documents, such as DD Form 214 or NGB Form 22. Such records shall be confidential and not subject to disclosure except as provided in subsection (2) of this section.

(2) The provisions of this section do not apply to:

(a) A veteran requesting the veteran's own discharge or separation documents;

(b) A veteran's next of kin;

(c) A deceased veteran's properly appointed personal representative or executor;

(d) A person holding a veteran's general power of attorney;

(e) Duly designated representatives of accredited veterans service organizations; or

(f) Sharing agreements among other government entities.

(3) For purposes of this section, "next of kin" means any of the following: An unremarried widow or widower, son, daughter, father, mother, brother, or sister of a deceased veteran.