Whereas, this legislation needs to take effect before the expiration of the 90-day period in order to reinstate the recently repealed 48-hour accident report provision; and

Whereas, in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now, therefore,

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:

Sec. 1. 29-A MRSA §2251, sub-§5, as repealed by PL 2003, c. 434, §25 and affected by §37, is reenacted to read:

5.__Forty-eight-hour report.__An operator of a vehicle involved in a reportable accident shall, within 48 hours after the accident, make a written report of the accident to the Secretary of State on forms provided by the Secretary of State.__ The Secretary of State may require supplemental reports when the original report is insufficient.

Sec. 2. 29-A MRSA §2251, sub-§7, as amended by PL 2003, c. 434, §27 and affected by §37, is further amended to read:

7. Report information. An accident report made by an investigating officer or a 48-hour report made by an operator as required by former subsection 5 is for the purposes of statistical analysis and accident prevention.

A report or statement contained in the accident report, or a 48- hour report as required by former subsection 5, a statement made or testimony taken at a hearing before the Secretary of State held under section 2483, or a decision made as a result of that report, statement or testimony may not be admitted in evidence in any trial, civil or criminal, arising out of the accident.

A report may be admissible in evidence solely to prove compliance with this section.

The Chief of the State Police may disclose the date, time and location of the accident and the names and addresses of operators, owners, injured persons, witnesses and the investigating officer. On written request, the chief may furnish