A bill for an act limiting the release of personal information maintained by the department of transportation to out-of-state persons, and making penalties applicable.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Adrian Dickey

Bill SF 51 protects Iowa residents' personal information from out-of-state release, ensuring privacy while allowing access for law enforcement with consent or court orders.

Committee report approving bill, renumbered as SF 259.

#confidentiality #driver'slicenses #executivebranch #fines #informedconsent #lawenforcement #personalinformation #transportation #transportationdepartment

Summary of Bill SF 51

Bill Number: SF 51
Title: A bill for an act limiting the release of personal information maintained by the department of transportation to out-of-state persons, and making penalties applicable.
Status: Committee report approving bill, renumbered as SF 259.
Introduced: January 15, 2025
Classification: Bill
Subject: Confidentiality, Driver's Licenses, Executive Branch, Fines, Informed Consent, Law Enforcement, Personal Information, Transportation, Transportation Department

Purpose and Intent

The primary purpose of Bill SF 51 is to enhance the confidentiality of personal information held by the Department of Transportation (DOT) in Iowa. The bill aims to restrict the release of sensitive personal information to out-of-state individuals or entities, thereby protecting the privacy of Iowa residents.

Key Provisions

Definition of Personal Information: The bill defines "personal information" to include:

Photographs
Social security numbers
Driver's license numbers
Names and addresses
Telephone numbers
Medical or disability information

It explicitly excludes information related to vehicular accidents, driving violations, and the driver's status or zip code.

Restrictions on Information Release:

The DOT is prohibited from releasing personal information to out-of-state persons or agencies unless:
The request is made by an officer or employee of a law enforcement agency, a federal or state agency, or a licensed private investigation agency in the course of their official duties.
The release is ordered by a court.
The individual whose information is requested has provided informed consent.

Penalties for Non-Compliance: The bill establishes penalties for violations of these provisions, although specific penalty amounts or enforcement mechanisms are not detailed in the provided text.

Affected Parties

Individuals: Iowa residents whose personal information is maintained by the DOT will benefit from enhanced privacy protections.

Law Enforcement and Agencies: Law enforcement officers and employees, as well as federal and state agency employees, will have specific guidelines on when they can access personal information.

Out-of-State Entities: Out-of-state persons or agencies will face restrictions when attempting to obtain personal information from the DOT.

Legislative Timeline

January 15, 2025: Bill introduced and referred to the Transportation Committee.

January 23, 2025: Subcommittee formed, consisting of members Dickey, Blake, and Webster.

January 27, 2025: Subcommittee meeting held to discuss the bill.

January 28, 2025: Subcommittee recommends amendment and passage of the bill.

February 11, 2025: Committee report approving the bill, which has been renumbered as SF 259.

Conclusion

Bill SF 51 represents a significant step towards protecting the personal information of Iowa residents from unauthorized access, particularly from out-of-state entities. By establishing clear guidelines and restrictions on the release of sensitive information, the bill aims to enhance privacy and security for individuals while maintaining necessary access for law enforcement and regulatory purposes.