Brief Description: Furnishing driver's abstracts to private investigators.

Sponsors: Representatives Schindler, Hankins, Armstrong and Mielke.

Hearing Date: 2/2/04

Staff: Jill Satran (786-7315).

Background:

A driver abstract is a summary of certain information related to an individual's driving record.

Federal and state laws limit the distribution of certain personal information from State motor vehicle records. The Federal Statute (Title 18 USC Sec. 2721) specifies 14 circumstances under which this personal information may be disclosed, including for example:

•    for matters associated with motor vehicle or driver safety and theft; and

•    for use in connect with any civil, criminal administrative or arbitral proceedings.

Currently, Washington statutes allow release of driver abstracts for most allowable purposes, as long as the request is properly made and the requester pays a $5 fee. One area that is permitted by federal law, but not currently permitted under state law is the release of driver's abstracts to licensed private investigators for purposes specified in the code. Typically, this means for use in connection with any civil, criminal, administrative, or arbitral proceeding.

Summary of Bill:

This bill allows the Department of Licensing to release driver abstracts, upon proper application and payment of fee, to licensed private investigators, investigative agencies, or licensed security services. The driver abstracts may cover the immediately preceding three-year period and be provided for any purpose permitted under the above-referenced federal code.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.