17:23-19. National Automobile Theft Bureau

a. Any insurer transacting automobile insurance in this State shall:

(1) report the theft or salvage of a motor vehicle to the National Automobile Theft Bureau (hereinafter referred to as the NATB) in accordance with the constitution and operating procedures of the NATB; and

(2) reimburse the NATB for the costs of the performance of its duties under its constitution and operating procedures in a manner to be determined by the governing board of the NATB.

b. The National Automobile Theft Bureau shall:

(1) receive a report of the theft or salvage of a motor vehicle made by an insurer under subsection a. of this section and shall include that information in the central index file which it maintains; and

(2) cooperate with an insurer who submits a report and with a law enforcement agency which is conducting an investigation and release information when appropriate and necessary which it has received on a claim or an investigation.

c. Any information provided to the NATB pursuant to this section shall be confidential and shall not be subject to public inspection. Such information shall not be subject to subpoena or subpoena duces tecum unless, after a notice and hearing, a court determines that an ongoing investigation would not be jeopardized by compliance with a subpoena or subpoena duces tecum.

d. An insurer, a law enforcement agency, or the NATB, or their agents or employees, shall not be subject to civil liability in a cause of action of any kind for conducting an investigation or providing or receiving any information which is required to be reported under subsection a. of this section.

L.1989, c.65, s.1.