Tennessee § 55-12-209 - Confidentiality of information — Utilization of program by law enforcement officers — Insurers permitted to utilize third-party vendors — Application to vehicles insured under commercial automobile coverage — Annual report.

§ 55-12-209. Confidentiality of information — Utilization of program by law enforcement officers — Insurers permitted to utilize third-party vendors — Application to vehicles insured under commercial automobile coverage — Annual report.

Any information obtained by the department of revenue, or its designated agent, from the program is for the sole use of the department of revenue, the department of safety, the department of commerce and insurance, law enforcement, and the judiciary to effectuate this chapter and is not a public record for purposes of title 10, chapter 7, nor discoverable in the course of legal proceedings. The department of safety shall cooperate with the department of revenue in developing, implementing, and maintaining the program. A law enforcement officer from a jurisdiction that has reasonable access to the program shall utilize the program to verify proof of financial responsibility as required by § 55-12-139. Nothing in this part precludes a law enforcement officer from a jurisdiction that does not have reasonable access to the program from utilizing the program to verify proof of financial responsibility as required by § 55-12-139. Nothing in this part prohibits an automobile liability insurer from using the services of a third-party vendor to comply with this part. This part shall not apply to motor vehicles insured under commercial automobile coverage; however, insurers of those vehicles may participate on a voluntary basis. Automobile liability insurers shall provide commercial automobile customers with evidence reflecting that the vehicle is insured under a commercial automobile policy. Sufficient evidence may include an insurance identification card that clearly identifies the policy as providing commercial automobile coverage. No later than January 1, 2019, and annually thereafter, the department of revenue and the department of safety shall issue a joint report to the general assembly, evidencing: The costs of the program to the department of revenue, insurers, and the public; The effectiveness of the program in reducing the number of uninsured motor vehicles; The number of persons complying with the financial responsibility requirements of this chapter through means other than motor vehicle liability insurance; The number of persons convicted per year for failing to show evidence of financial responsibility pursuant to § 55-12-139; and If available, the number of motor vehicle accidents involving an uninsured motorist on an annual basis since January 1, 2016. Acts 2015, ch. 511, § 1. Compiler's Notes. Acts 2015, ch. 511, § 10 provided that the commissioner of revenue, the commissioner of safety, and the commissioner of commerce and insurance are authorized to promulgate rules to effectuate the purposes of this act. All rules shall be promulgated in accordance with the Uniform Administrative Procedures Act, compiled in Tennessee Code Annotated, title 4, chapter 5. Cross-References. Confidentiality of public records, § 10-7-504 .