SECTION 1. Chapter 16 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2006 Official Edition, is hereby amended by inserting after section 9 the following section:- Section 9A.  (a) For the purposes of this section, the following words shall have the following meanings:- “Claim”, any application submitted to a motor vehicle insurer seeking compensation for injuries alleged to have been sustained in a motor vehicle collision or for compensation for theft or damage as a result of theft of or from or vandalism to a motor vehicle.

“Computerized access”, direct access via computer, including the ability to download text and images as provided in this section.

“Licensee”, a person issued a license or right to operate a motor vehicle by the registry of motor vehicles.

“Driver’s license information”, all information, including photographs, contained on a driver’s license or permit to operate a motor vehicle issued by the registry of motor vehicles.

“Motor vehicle insurers”, motor vehicle insurance carriers that write policies of insurance for individuals within the commonwealth.   

            (b) Notwithstanding any general or special law, ordinance, rule or regulation to the contrary, the registry of motor vehicles shall adopt rules and regulations to permit motor vehicle insurers computerized access, for a fee, to driver’s license information, including photographs, to the extent necessary to discern the identity of individuals who submit claims based on having been injured in a motor vehicle collision.  The information obtained pursuant to this statute and the use thereof, shall be restricted to those entities set forth herein and their legal counsel and only in connection with claims that have been referred to, and accepted by, a special investigations unit of: motor vehicles insurers; the Insurance Fraud Bureau of Massachusetts; the National Insurance Crime Bureau, the United States Attorney’s Office, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the department of state police; a municipal police department; the attorney general; or a district attorney, which is conducting an investigation of or prosecuting a criminal case involving claims in which fraudulent activity is suspected or alleged. Such information shall be used only to extent necessary to conduct and complete an investigation of a motor vehicle insurance claim presented by or on behalf of a claimant or to prosecute a criminal case against a claimant or any co-conspirator and shall not otherwise be disseminated or published to any individual or agency, but may be transmitted among the entities and agencies authorized to receive this information pursuant to this section.