Private Driver's Records Opening Up for Courts

A law that would allow members of the court to access personal records from the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) Driver and Vehicle Information Database (DAVID) passed the House Economic Affairs Committee Wednesday.

HB 987, sponsored by Rep. Irving Slosberg, D-Boca Raton, would create an additional exemption to the public records law to would allow judges and court employees to have duplicate records within the DAVID database, which holds the digital image and signature recorded on Floridian's drivers licenses.

Currently, the information is available to state agencies like the Departments of State, Children and Family Services, Business and Professional Regulation, Financial Services, and Revenue. Medical Examiners and law enforcement agencies are also able to access the information.

The Office of the State Courts Administrator says being able to access driver license photographs makes its job easier and is necessary for the courts system.