Brief Description: Allowing release of bus drivers' driving abstracts to employers.

Sponsors: Senators Horn and Haugen.

Hearing Date: 4/4/03

Staff: Jill Satran (786-7315).

Background:

The Department of Licensing (DOL) must provide, upon proper request, certified abstracts of driving records to the driver, employers or prospective employers of commercial vehicle or school bus drivers, insurance companies and transit authorities checking on volunteer vanpool drivers, and certain others. However, before the DOL may release certified abstracts to current or prospective employers, the agency must first obtain the employee's written release of the information and the employer's attestation that the information will only be used to determine whether the licensee should be employed to operate a commercial vehicle or school bus.

Summary of Bill:

Upon proper request, the DOL must provide a certified abstract of the full driving record of currently employed or prospective transit operators to an employee or agent of a transit authority. The release of the record does not require a signed statement by either the employee or the transit authority. This information may only be used for insurance and risk management needs.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

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