BILL ANALYSIS
AB 953
Page 1
Date of Hearing: January 21, 2010
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
Kevin De Leon, Chair
AB 953 (Eng) - As Amended: January 6, 2010
Policy Committee:
TransportationVote:14-0
Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program:
No Reimbursable:
SUMMARY
This bill clarifies that certain disclosure authorizations
provided to insurance companies under current law apply to the
authorized agents as well as employees of the companies.
Specifically, the bill:
1)States that the authorization applies in cases where the
employee or agent is seeking information about vehicle owners
and drivers involved in accidents with individuals insured by
the insurance companies the employees and agents represent.
2)Subjects information obtained under this provision to the use
or disclosure limitations and security requirements currently
governing insurance companies under state and federal law.
3)Requires the DMV to enforce the limitations and security
requirements.
FISCAL EFFECT
Minimal costs to DMV, as the bill essentially clarifies existing
law.
COMMENTS
1)Rationale . The bill, sponsored by the California Association
of Collectors, is intended to facilitate the timely and
accurate collection of address information financially
responsible parties in traffic accidents.
2)Background . Existing law holds confidential home addresses
AB 953
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maintained by DMV and prohibits DMV from disclosing residence
addresses to any person, except a court, law enforcement, or
other governmental agency. Current law exempts from this
prohibition licensed insurance companies that state, under
penalty of perjury, that they are requesting the information
for the purpose of obtaining the address of a motorist or
vehicle owner involved in an accident with someone covered by
the company's insurance policy. This bill makes it clear that
the exemption applies to authorized agents as well as
employees of the insurance companies.
Analysis Prepared by : Brad Williams / APPR. / (916) 319-2081