S.B. No. 375
 
 
 
 
AN ACT
  relating to the release of certain motor vehicle accident report
  information.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 550.065, Transportation Code, is amended
  by amending Subsections (a), (b), and (d) and adding Subsections
  (e), (f), and (g) to read as follows:
         (a)  This section applies only to information that is held by
  the department or another governmental entity and relates to a
  motor vehicle accident reported under this chapter or Section
  601.004, including accident report information compiled under
  Section 201.805, as added by Chapter 1407 (S.B. 766), Acts of the
  80th Legislature, Regular Session, 2007.
         (b)  Except as provided by Subsection (c) or (e), the
  information is privileged and for the confidential use of:
               (1)  the department; and
               (2)  an agency of the United States, this state, or a
  local government of this state that has use for the information for
  accident prevention purposes.
         (d)  The fee for a copy of the accident report [or accident
  information] is $6 [or the actual cost of the preparation of the
  copy, whichever is less].  The copy may be certified by the
  department or the governmental entity for an additional fee of $2.  
  The department or the governmental entity may issue a certification
  that no report or information is on file for a fee of $6.
         (e)  In addition to the information required to be released
  under Subsection (c), the department may release:
               (1)  information relating to motor vehicle accidents
  that the department compiles under Section 201.805, as added by
  Chapter 1407 (S.B. 766), Acts of the 80th Legislature, Regular
  Session, 2007; or
               (2)  a vehicle identification number and specific
  accident information relating to that vehicle.
         (f)  The department:
               (1)  may not release under Subsection (e) information
  that:
                     (A)  is personal information, as defined by
  Section 730.003; or
                     (B)  would allow a person to satisfy the
  requirements of Subsection (c)(4) for the release of information
  for a specific motor vehicle accident; and
               (2)  shall withhold or redact the following items of
  information:
                     (A)  the first, middle, and last name of any
  person listed in an accident report, including a vehicle driver,
  occupant, owner, or lessee, a bicyclist, a pedestrian, or a
  property owner;
                     (B)  the number of any driver's license,
  commercial driver's license, or personal identification
  certificate issued to any person listed in an accident report;
                     (C)  the date of birth, other than the year, of any
  person listed in an accident report;
                     (D)  the address, other than zip code, and
  telephone number of any person listed in an accident report;
                     (E)  the license plate number of any vehicle
  listed in an accident report;
                     (F)  the date of any accident, other than the
  year;
                     (G)  the name of any insurance company listed as a
  provider of financial responsibility for a vehicle listed in an
  accident report;
                     (H)  the number of any insurance policy issued by
  an insurance company listed as a provider of financial
  responsibility;
                     (I)  the date the peace officer who investigated
  the accident was notified of the accident;
                     (J)  the date the investigating peace officer
  arrived at the accident site;
                     (K)  the date the investigating officer's report
  was prepared;
                     (L)  the badge number or identification number of
  the investigating officer;
                     (M)  the date on which any person who died as a
  result of the accident died;
                     (N)  the date of any commercial motor vehicle
  report; and
                     (O)  the place where any person injured or killed
  in an accident was taken and the person or entity that provided the
  transportation.
         (g)  The amount that may be charged for information provided
  under Subsection (e) shall be calculated in the manner specified by
  Chapter 552, Government Code, for public information provided by a
  governmental body under that chapter.
         SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
  a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
  provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this
  Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
  Act takes effect September 1, 2009.
 
 
 
 
 
  ______________________________ ______________________________
     President of the Senate Speaker of the House     
 
         I hereby certify that S.B. No. 375 passed the Senate on
  April 8, 2009, by the following vote:  Yeas 31, Nays 0.
 
 
  ______________________________
  Secretary of the Senate    
 
         I hereby certify that S.B. No. 375 passed the House on
  May 25, 2009, by the following vote:  Yeas 141, Nays 0, one
  present not voting.
 
 
  ______________________________
  Chief Clerk of the House   
 
 
 
  Approved:
 
  ______________________________ 
              Date
 
 
  ______________________________ 
            Governor