(1) Program participants may use the substitute address provided by the secretary of state when interacting with any state or local agency on all forms or applications that require an address. This is done by providing the substitute address and presenting the authorization card and PMB authorization number to the agency.

(2) Every state or local government agency, or office, shall accept the substitute address issued by the secretary of state as the only address for all program participants when the participant provides the address and authorization card and authorization number. Program participants are not required to respond to any question regarding the details or circumstances of the person's inclusion in the program. The public agency may contact the secretary of state to verify program participation and for additional program information.

(3) Program participants are solely responsible for requesting the use of a substitute address by any agency as the participant's address for use in interaction with each agency or office.

(4) The secretary of state is the agent for receipt of all mail sent to program participants at the substitute address.

(5) All first class mail specifically addressed to the program participant at the substitute address must be forwarded at least every second business day to each participant's mailing address, using "return service requested" designation on the envelope. The secretary of state is not required to forward mail that is not specifically addressed to the participant.

(6) The secretary of state may hold a participant's mail for up to three business days upon request of the participant. The hold may be up to three weeks if the participant's request is written and signed and provides a contact telephone number for the hold period. The secretary of state must compare the signature on the hold request with that on file for the participant prior to holding the mail. In the absence of a specific hold date from the participant, the hold date is the date of receipt by the secretary of state.

(7) For services delivered to an actual physical address or tied to residency in a particular jurisdiction, the state or local agency must request only the smallest portion of the actual address needed to provide service, in addition to the substitute address.

(a) In cases in which all or part of the actual address has been disclosed pursuant to this section, the substitute address must be used by the agency as the address of the program participant for all public data or purposes that the actual address is not required.

(b) The secretary of state, upon request of the agency, shall suggest measures that assist in protecting the actual address and the participant's name against disclosure in any way. Measures may include, but are not limited to, assigning a pseudonym to the participant, keeping the actual address in the participant's paper file at an agency (not in an electronic system), and making the records password protected and limiting record access to a small pool of staff.