HB 2102 -- MOTOR VEHICLE RECORDS

CO-SPONSORS:  Hampton, Gaw, Smith, Bray, Scheve, Crump,
Franklin, Kreider, Foley, Fraser

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass" by the Committee on
Transportation by a vote of 20 to 0.

This bill clarifies that any person or entity providing services
for the Department of Revenue is subject to the same
restrictions as the department itself regarding the disclosure
of personal information contained in motor vehicle records.

The bill also amends the law governing the dissemination of
motor vehicle records by the Department of Revenue, so as to
comply with recent changes in federal law.  The Department of
Revenue is not allowed to disseminate a person's driver's
license photograph, Social Security number, medical information,
or disability information, unless the person expressly consents
to such dissemination.  However, this prohibition does not apply
when the information is requested:

(1)  by another governmental agency;

(2)  for a legal proceeding;

(3)  by automobile insurers; or

(4)  by employers, regarding commercial driver's licenses.

Finally, the Department may release other personal information
(i.e., information other than a photograph, social security
number, medical, or disability information) for a variety of
specified uses.  These uses include:

(1)  work in connection with motor vehicle safety;

(2)  to verify and correct information provided by the
individual;

(3)  statistical research (so long as the information is not
published or used to contact the individual);

(4)  notice to owners of towed vehicles;

(5)  use by licensed private investigators;

(6)  in connection with the operation of private toll
transportation; and

(7)  any use specifically authorized by state law that is
related to public safety.

FISCAL NOTE:  Estimated Net Cost to Highway Fund of $228,955 in
FY 2001, and $234,000 in FY 2002 and FY 2003.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that existing state law follows the
former federal law, requiring the department merely to provide a
process by which individuals can request that their records not
be disclosed.  Changes in the federal law prohibit this so--
called "opt out" policy and instead require an "opt-in" policy
where the individual has to expressly consent to disclosure.
This legislation amends Missouri law governing the dissemination
of motor vehicle records so as to mirror recent changes in
federal law.

Testifying for the bill were Representative Hampton; and
Department of Revenue.

OPPONENTS:  There was no opposition voiced to the committee.

Robert Triplett, Legislative Analyst

HB 2102 -- Motor Vehicle Records

Co-Sponsors:  Hampton, Gaw, Smith, Bray, Scheve, Crump,
Franklin, Kreider, Foley, Fraser

This bill clarifies that any person or entity providing services
for the Department of Revenue is subject to the same
restrictions as the department itself regarding the disclosure
of personal information contained in motor vehicle records.

The bill also amends the law governing the dissemination of
motor vehicle records by the Department of Revenue, so as to
comply with recent changes in federal law.  The Department of
Revenue is not allowed to disseminate a person's driver's
license photograph, Social Security number, medical information,
or disability information, unless the person expressly consents
to such dissemination.  However, this prohibition does not apply
when the information is requested:

(1)  by another governmental agency;

(2)  for a legal proceeding;

(3)  by automobile insurers; or

(4)  by employers, regarding commercial driver's licenses.

Finally, the Department may release other personal information
(i.e., information other than a photograph, social security
number, medical or disability information) for a variety of
specified uses.  These uses include:

(1)  work in connection with motor vehicle safety;

(2)  to verify and correct information provided by the
individual;

(3)  statistical research (so long as the information is not
published or used to contact the individual);

(4)  notice to owners of towed vehicles;

(5)  use by licensed private investigators;

(6)  in connection with the operation of private toll
transportation; and

(7)  any use specifically authorized by state law that is
related to public safety.