Current Status Introducing Body:Senate Bill Number:46 Primary Sponsor:Rose Committee Number:15 Type of Legislation:GB Subject:Motor vehicle identification information Residing Body:Senate Current Committee:Transportation Computer Document Number:46 Introduced Date:Jan 08, 1991 Last History Body:Senate Last History Date:Jan 08, 1991 Last History Type:Introduced and read first time, referred to Committee Scope of Legislation:Statewide All Sponsors:Rose Type of Legislation:General Bill
Bill Body Date Action Description CMN
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46 Senate Jan 08, 1991 Introduced and read first 15
time, referred to Committee
46 Senate Sep 10, 1990 Prefiled, referred to 15
Committee
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TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 56-3-112, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF HIGHWAYS AND PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION MAY NOT RELEASE MOTOR VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION INFORMATION TO ANY INDIVIDUAL OTHER THAN A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER EXCEPT UPON WRITTEN REQUEST, AND TO PROVIDE PROCEDURES FOR RECORDKEEPING AND NOTIFICATION TO THE REGISTERED OWNER OF A MOTOR VEHICLE WHEN A REQUEST IS MADE BY NON-LAW ENFORCEMENT PERSONNEL.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:
SECTION 1. Chapter 3, Title 56 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:
"Section 56-3-112. (A) A law enforcement official may obtain motor vehicle registration information by checking the license plate number of that vehicle through the department. This check may be effectuated only for the purpose of investigating criminal activity or a motor vehicle violation which the official reasonably believes has occurred or is occurring relative to a motor vehicle which reasonably matches the description of the motor vehicle on which the license plate is affixed.
(B) Except as authorized in subsection (A), the department may not release motor vehicle registration information to any individual or entity unless a written request for this information is made to the department.
(C) The department must maintain a permanent record of each request made pursuant to subsection (B), which must include the name of the individual or organization making the request and the date, time, and purpose of the request. The department must maintain this record for a period of two years from the date of the original request.
(D) Within ten days of receiving a written request for information as required in (B), the department must notify the owner of the motor vehicle that a license plate check was requested on that motor vehicle, by depositing in the United States mail at the address contained in the driver's license records of the department a statement containing the information required by subsection (C).
(E) This section does not apply with regard to implementation of any interstate compact entered into by the department as authorized by law. Except regarding a law enforcement official requesting information in accordance with subsection (A), the department must establish and collect a fee from any individual or organization which requests motor vehicle registration information, in an amount to pay for, but not to exceed the actual costs of complying with subsections (B), (C), and (D)."
SECTION 2. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.