SB558 Summary

• Motor vehicle accident reports filed with the Alabama Department of Public Safety are confidential and exempt from open records laws, except as provided in the bill.

• Reports may not be released for commercial purposes, with an exception allowing the department to contract with outside entities to provide vehicle damage data for determining a vehicle's accident history.

• Reports are available to accident parties, parents/guardians of minors, personal representatives in death cases, insurers for business purposes, and attorneys without requiring a subpoena or court order.

• Parties to litigation may obtain reports without a subpoena by submitting a request to the Department of Public Safety that includes a copy of the first page of a district or circuit court clerk-stamped complaint naming all parties.

• The act becomes effective on the first day of the third month following passage and approval by the Governor.