Vehicles: vehicle information: privacy.

Existing law imposes various requirements upon manufacturers of motor vehicles sold or leased in this state with regard to disclosing information and providing equipment. A violation of these provisions is a crime. This bill would enact the Consumer Car Information and Choice Act. The bill would require a manufacturer of any new motor vehicle sold or leased in this state that is manufactured on or after January 1, 2016, that records, generates, stores, or collects vehicle information, as defined, to make certain disclosures to the registered owner regarding the recordation, generation, storage, and collection of that information. The bill would require the manufacturer to provide the registered owner of the vehicle with access to the vehicle information, as specified. The bill would require the manufacturer to provide the registered owner with the ability to opt out of the recording, generation, storage, or collection of vehicle information, except as specified. The bill would prohibit a manufacturer from limiting, impairing, or otherwise restricting the ability of the registered owner to access his or her vehicle information, and would further prohibit the manufacturer from taking any adverse action against the registered owner for accessing his or her vehicle information, as specified. The bill would prohibit vehicle information from being downloaded or otherwise retrieved from the motor vehicle without the consent of the registered owner, except as specified. The bill would prohibit a manufacturer from conditioning the sale or lease of a vehicle upon receiving consent from the registered owner to allow the manufacturer to sell, release, or otherwise disclose vehicle information to persons other than the registered owner. The bill would provide immunity from liability for manufacturers providing registered owners access to vehicle information, as specified. Because a violation of these provisions would be a crime, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.