Limiting the release of personal information maintained by the department of transportation to out-of-state persons, and making penalties applicable

Under current law, records of the department of transportation (DOT) are generally open to public inspection during office hours. However, certain confidential records and personal information are protected and are not open to public inspection. “Personal information” means information that identifies a person, including a person’s photograph, social security number, driver’s license number, name, address, telephone number, and medical or disability information, but does not include information on vehicular accidents, driving violations, and the driver’s status or a person’s zip code. The DOT is prohibited from releasing personal information, if the information is requested by the presentation of a registration plate number, to a person, other than to an officer or employee of a law enforcement agency, an employee of a federal or state agency or political subdivision in the performance of the employee’s official duties, a contract employee of the department of inspections, appeals, and licensing in the conduct of an investigation, or a licensed private investigation agency or a licensed security service or a licensed employee of either. This bill prohibits the DOT from releasing personal information except to federal employees and other persons described in the bill who are employed or licensed in Iowa, and persons who provide or otherwise distribute such information exclusively to another person who provides financial liability coverage. Current law authorizes an officer or employee of a law enforcement agency to release the name, address, and telephone number of a motor vehicle registrant to a person requesting the information by the presentation of a registration plate number if the officer or employee of the law enforcement agency believes that the release of the information is necessary in the performance of the officer’s or employee’s duties. The bill prohibits an officer or employee from releasing personal information of a person issued a driver’s license by the DOT to an out-of-state person or agency if the release of personal information could be used to initiate a proceeding, issue a fine, or enforce any other penalty resulting from an alleged traffic violation unless ordered to do so by a court, or unless the person whose personal information is requested has provided express written consent allowing disclosure of the person’s personal information. By operation of law, a person who violates the bill commits a simple misdemeanor punishable by confinement for no more than 30 days and a fine of at least $105 but not more than $855.