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168.346 Privacy of name or residence address.

(a) The registered owner of a motor vehicle may request in writing that the owner's residence address or name and residence address be classified as private data on individuals, as defined in section 13.02, subdivision 12. The commissioner shall grant the classification upon receipt of a signed statement by the owner that the classification is required for the safety of the owner or the owner's family, if the statement also provides a valid, existing address where the owner consents to receive service of process. The commissioner shall use the mailing address in place of the residence address in all documents and notices pertaining to the motor vehicle. The residence address or name and residence address and any information provided in the classification request, other than the mailing address, are private data on individuals and may be provided to requesting law enforcement agencies, probation and parole agencies, and public authorities, as defined in section 518.54, subdivision 9.

(b) An individual registered owner of a motor vehicle must be informed in a clear and conspicuous manner on the forms for issuance or renewal of titles and registrations, that the owner's personal information may be disclosed to any person who makes a request for the personal information, and that, except for uses permitted by United States Code, title 18, section 2721, subsection (b), the registered owner may prohibit disclosure of the personal information by so indicating on the form. For purposes of this paragraph, access by requesters making requests described in section 168.345, subdivision 4, is deemed to be related to public safety.

(c) At the time of registration or renewal, the individual registered owner of a motor vehicle must also be informed in a clear and conspicuous manner on forms that the owner's personal information may be used, rented, or sold solely for bulk distribution by organizations for business purposes including surveys, marketing, and solicitation. The commissioner shall implement methods and procedures that enable the registered owner to request that bulk surveys, marketing, or solicitation not be directed to the owner. If the registered owner so requests, the commissioner shall implement the request in a timely manner and the personal information may not be so used.

(d) To the extent permitted by United States Code, title 18, section 2721, data on individuals provided to register a motor vehicle is public data on individuals and shall be disclosed as permitted by United States Code, title 18, section 2721, subsection (b).

HIST: 1990 c 461 s 1; 1993 c 326 art 2 s 2; 1994 c 618 art 1 s 24; 1996 c 440 art 1 s 42; 1998 c 371 s 8

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Revisor of Statutes