257.503 Access to motor vehicle accident report; prohibitions; violation; penalty; definitions.

391 words·~2 min read·/mi/chapter-257/257-503

A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.

Sec. 503.

(1)For 30 days after the date a motor vehicle accident report is filed with a law enforcement agency, a person may only access the report if the person or organization files a statement indicating that from the time the person or organization is granted access to the report until 30 days after the date the report is filed, the person or organization acknowledges that the person or organization is prohibited from doing either of the following:

(a)Using the report for any direct solicitation of an individual, vehicle owner, or property owner listed in the report.

(b)Disclosing any personal information contained in the report to a third party for commercial solicitation of an individual, vehicle owner, or property owner listed in the report.

(2)A person that knowingly violates this section is guilty of a crime punishable as follows:

(a)For a first violation, a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not more than $30,000.00.

(b)For a second or subsequent violation, a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for not more than 1 year or a fine of not more than $60,000.00, or both.

(3)As used in this section:

(a)"Direct solicitation" means "direct solicitation to provide a service" as that term is defined in section 410b of the Michigan penal code, 1931 PA 328, MCL 750.410b.

(b)"Law enforcement agency" means any of the following:

(i)The department of state police.

(ii)The county sheriff's office.

(iii)The police department of a local unit of government.

(c)"Local unit of government" means a state university or college or a county, city, village, or township.

(d)"Motor vehicle accident" means an occurrence involving a motor vehicle that results in damage to property or injury to an individual.

(e)"Personal information" means information that identifies an individual, including the individual's name, address, driver license number, social security number, and telephone number.

(f)"Report" means a report completed by an officer of a law enforcement agency that indicates that a motor vehicle accident occurred.

History: Add. 2013, Act 218 , Eff. Jan. 1, 2014

Compiler's Notes: Former MCL 257.503, which pertained to report of accident by person owning or operating vehicle where person is killed or injured, was repealed by Act 67 of 1971, Eff. Oct. 1, 1971.