The provision of the bill that is the subject of this analysis would amend the Transportation Code by making the release of motor vehicle accident reports punishable as a third degree felony for the following: 1) if the person is an employee of the agency and possesses a report or information and knowingly discloses the report or information to a person who is not entitled to have access to the report or information; 2) if a person who is not entitled to have access to the report or information accesses or attempts to access the report or information; or 3) if the person knowingly uses the report or information that violates the person’s written statement filed under this section. After 30 days, a person who provides the date and location of the accident and the name of a driver may have access to the report or information.

A third degree felony is punishable by imprisonment in the institutional division for any term of not more than 10 years or less than 2 years, or, in addition to confinement, a fine not to exceed $10,000.

For this analysis it is assumed that the number of offenders convicted under this statute would not result in a significant impact on the programs and workload of state corrections agencies or on the demand for resources and services of those agencies.