Bill Signed To Protect Driving Records

Gov. Phil Batt has signed a bill that provides protections from unwanted release of driver’s license records to the general public for commercial use.

The House and Senate both overwhelmingly approved the bill signed Friday, which is aimed at meeting a federal requirement.

Controversy over meeting the federal mandate by the mid-September deadline was quieted when a provision was added to keep information available to the news media unless a motorist specifically opts to have it kept confidential.

Failing to meet the deadline could have cost the state $5,000 a day in penalties.