HB 1403 Summary

• Restricts public access to accident reports and supplemental information containing personal information for 30 days after report completion, making them privileged and exempt from Freedom of Information Act disclosure during that period.

• Allows law enforcement entities and federal/state/local government agencies using reports for accident prevention purposes to access reports confidentially for the first 30 days.

• After 30 days or at any time upon written request and payment of fees, permits release of accident reports to specified parties including involved persons, legal representatives, insurance companies, attorneys, media outlets, and those with proper interest in the accident.

• Applies the 30-day confidentiality restriction and disclosure framework to accident reports made by the Department of Arkansas State Police and traffic accident investigating officers' reports.

• Prohibits compilation, copying, or distribution of accident report lists to persons not employed by the agency holding the reports or its authorized contractors.