An Act To Protect the Privacy of Persons Involved in Reportable Motor Vehicle Accidents
Maine Legislature, Session 125, LD 1167
Committee: Transportation
Sponsors: CEBRA, COLLINS, CLARK, HASKELL, KNAPP, PARRY, PEOPLES, PLUMMER, RIOUX, DIAMOND
Amends: 29-A MRSA §2251

Legislative Document 
No. 1167 
H.P. 865 
House of Representatives, March 17, 2011 
An Act To Protect the Privacy of Persons Involved in Reportable 
Motor Vehicle Accidents 
Submitted by the Department of Public Safety pursuant to Joint Rule 204. 
Reference to the Committee on Transportation suggested and ordered printed. 
HEATHER J.R. PRIEST 
Clerk 
Presented by Representative CEBRA of Naples. 
Cosponsored by Senator COLLINS of York and 
Representatives: CLARK of Millinocket, HASKELL of Portland, KNAPP of Gorham, PARRY 
of Arundel, PEOPLES of Westbrook, PLUMMER of Windham, RIOUX of Winterport, 
Senator: DIAMOND of Cumberland. 
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows: 
Sec. 1.  29-A MRSA §2251, sub-§7, as amended by PL 2003, c. 709, §4, is 
further amended to read: 
7.  Report information.  An accident report made by an investigating officer or a 
48-hour report made by an operator as required by former subsection 5 is for the purposes 
of statistical analysis and accident prevention. 
A report or statement contained in the accident report, or a 48-hour report as required by 
former subsection 5, a statement made or testimony taken at a hearing before the 
Secretary of State held under section 2483, or a decision made as a result of that report, 
statement or testimony may not be admitted in evidence in any trial, civil or criminal, 
arising out of the accident. 
A report may be admissible in evidence solely to prove compliance with this section. 
The Chief of the State Police A law enforcement officer may disclose the date, time and 
location of the accident and the names and addresses municipalities of residence of 
operators, owners, injured persons, witnesses and the investigating officer.  On written 
request, the chief a law enforcement officer or agency may furnish a photocopy copy of 
the investigating officer's report at the expense of the person making the request to any 
person who was involved in the accident that is the subject of the report, or to any such 
person's attorney, insurance representative, authorized agent, spouse or next of kin.  The 
cost of furnishing a copy of the report is not subject to the limitations of Title 1, section 
408, subsection 3. 
The State Police may publicly disseminate aggregated nonpersonally identifying accident 
report data that is contained in an accident report database maintained, administered or 
contributed to by the Department of Public Safety, Bureau of State Police.  The cost of 
furnishing a copy of such data is not subject to the limitations of Title 1, section 408. 
SUMMARY 
This bill permits law enforcement officers to disclose certain information relating to 
motor vehicle accidents and permits law enforcement officers to furnish a copy of a 
motor vehicle accident report only to certain individuals specified in the bill.  The bill 
also provides greater protection of the personal privacy of individuals who are involved 
in motor vehicle accidents and allows aggregated nonpersonally identifying accident 
report data to be publicly disseminated.