HP0865
LD 1167
First Regular Session - 125th Maine Legislature
 
LR 2038
Item 1
Bill Tracking, Additional Documents Chamber Status

An Act To Protect the Privacy of Persons Involved in Reportable Motor Vehicle Accidents

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

Sec. 1. 29-A MRSA §2251, sub-§7,  as amended by PL 2003, c. 709, §4, 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 A law enforcement officer may disclose the date, time and location of the accident and the names and addresses municipalities of residence of operators, owners, injured persons, witnesses and the investigating officer. On written request, the chief a law enforcement officer or agency may furnish a photocopy copy of the investigating officer's report at the expense of the person making the request to any person who was involved in the accident that is the subject of the report, or to any such person's attorney, insurance representative, authorized agent, spouse or next of kin. The cost of furnishing a copy of the report is not subject to the limitations of Title 1, section 408, subsection 3.

The State Police may publicly disseminate aggregated nonpersonally identifying accident report data that is contained in an accident report database maintained, administered or contributed to by the Department of Public Safety, Bureau of State Police. The cost of furnishing a copy of such data is not subject to the limitations of Title 1, section 408.

summary

This bill permits law enforcement officers to disclose certain information relating to motor vehicle accidents and permits law enforcement officers to furnish a copy of a motor vehicle accident report only to certain individuals specified in the bill. The bill also provides greater protection of the personal privacy of individuals who are involved in motor vehicle accidents and allows aggregated nonpersonally identifying accident report data to be publicly disseminated.


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