Rhode Island Motor Bill Wins First Approval
The Rhode Island Department of Motor Vehicles would have to obtain a person’s permission before sharing their personal information with third parties for marketing purposes under a bill unanimously approved by the state House of Representatives last week.
The measure, 02-H-7107, would amend the state’s motor vehicle code by prohibiting the DMV from sharing the personally identifiable information of a licensed driver or registered vehicle owner for “surveys, marketing or other solicitations” without express consent.
The bill now goes to the state Senate where swift approval is anticipated. Gov. Lincoln Almond has indicated that he will sign the measure into law as soon as it reaches his desk.
The information covered by the bill includes a person’s name, address, telephone number, driver’s license number, driving record, photograph, Social Security number, medical condition or disability.
But the bill would let the DMV share that information with various government and law enforcement agencies, including the courts. The data could also be shared with auto manufacturers for product offers, recalls, research and surveys, and with various retail and wholesale businesses, including newspapers, contractors and insurance companies for verification and limited telemarketing purposes.
The measure would require the DMV to include a clear and conspicuous check-off box on license and registration renewal forms so people could indicate if they did or did not want their information shared with marketers.
Currently motorists can opt out from having their information shared with marketers and others by checking a small box on their license and registration renewal forms.
But, according to Democrat Representative Suzanne Henseler, it should be the other way around, they should be able to opt in, deciding if any information about them should be shared with direct marketers.
