South Carolina General Assembly
110th Session, 1993-1994

Bill 129


Indicates Matter Stricken
Indicates New Matter


                    Current Status

Introducing Body:               Senate
Bill Number:                    129
Primary Sponsor:                Rose
Committee Number:               15
Type of Legislation:            GB
Subject:                        Motor vehicle identification
                                information, release of
Residing Body:                  Senate
Current Committee:              Transportation
Computer Document Number:       CYY/15039SD.93
Introduced Date:                19930112    
Last History Body:              Senate
Last History Date:              19930112    
Last History Type:              Introduced, read first time,
                                referred to Committee
Scope of Legislation:           Statewide
All Sponsors:                   Rose
Type of Legislation:            General Bill



History


Bill  Body    Date          Action Description              CMN  Leg Involved
____  ______  ____________  ______________________________  ___  ____________

129   Senate  19930112      Introduced, read first time,    15
                            referred to Committee

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(Text matches printed bills. Document has been reformatted to meet World Wide Web specifications.)

A BILL

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 REQUESTS, RECORDKEEPING, AND NOTIFICATION TO THE REGISTERED OWNER OF CERTAIN MOTOR VEHICLE REQUESTS.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

SECTION 1. 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 an individual or entity unless a written request for this information is made to the department.

The department must maintain a permanent record of each request made, which must include the name of the individual or organization making the request and the date, time, and purpose of the request. The department shall maintain this record for two years from the date of the original request.

(C) Within ten days of receiving a written request for information as required in subsection (B), the department shall notify the owner of the motor vehicle that a license plate check was requested on that motor vehicle. The notice must be sent to the owner at the address by depositing it in the United States mail. The notice must contain the name of the individual or organization making the request, and the date, time, and purpose of the request.

(D) Except as to a law enforcement official requesting information in accordance with subsection (A), the department shall establish and collect a fee from an individual or organization which requests motor vehicle registration information, in an amount to the actual costs of complying with the provisions of this section.

(E) This section does not apply to implementation of any interstate compact entered into by the department as authorized by law."

SECTION 2. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.

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