(a) There is created the Vehicle Insurance Database within the Revenue Division of the Department of Finance and Administration to develop, establish, and maintain a database of information to verify compliance with the motor vehicle liability insurance laws of Arkansas set out in § 27-22-101 et seq.

(b)

(1) The Vehicle Insurance Database shall be administered by the division with the assistance of the Department of Information Systems or any other designated agent which may be contracted with to supply technical database and data processing expertise.

(2) The Vehicle Insurance Database shall be developed and maintained in accordance with guidelines established by the division so that the state and local law enforcement agencies can access the Vehicle Insurance Database to check the current insurance coverage on motor vehicles in Arkansas required to maintain current liability insurance as required by law.

(c) The division shall have the authority to enter into or to make agreements, arrangements, or declarations necessary to carry out the provisions of this section.

(d) The reports shall be retained by the Department of Finance and Administration so as to keep a twelve-month history of the insurance record of the vehicle for at least the preceding full twelve-month period.

(e) (1) Upon request, the Department of Finance and Administration may release an individual's information in the Vehicle Insurance Database to:

(A) That individual;

(B) The parent or legal guardian of that individual who is under eighteen (18) years of age or who is legally incapacitated; and

(C) State and local law enforcement agencies, to the Arkansas Crime Information Center, or to other government offices upon a showing of need.

(2) Otherwise, all data and information received by the Vehicle Insurance Database are confidential and are not subject to examination or disclosure as public information under the Freedom of Information Act of 1967, § 25-19-101 et seq.

(f) The department or the reporting company shall not be liable for any damages to any property or person due to any act or omission in the reporting of or keeping of any record or information under the Vehicle Insurance Database or the issuing or renewing of any motor vehicle registration in accordance with the Vehicle Insurance Database.

(g) The Director of the Department of Finance and Administration shall have the authority to adopt rules and regulations necessary to carry out the provisions of this section.