‘Sec. 1. 12 MRSA §10658 is enacted to read:
§ 10658. Online customer e-mail addresses
1. Confidentiality of e-mail addresses. E-mail addresses provided to the department by its customers through its online licensing and registration system are public records unless a customer indicates at the time of the online transaction that:
A. The customer's e-mail address is confidential and may be used only for the transaction for which it was provided and may not be retained longer than necessary to complete the transaction; or
B. The customer's e-mail address is confidential and may be retained but used only by the department for purposes of communication with that customer or for research purposes.
The department shall notify its online customers that e-mail addresses are public records unless the customer providing the e-mail address otherwise indicates as provided in this subsection. The department shall make the confidentiality options available to an online customer each time a customer purchases a license, permit, tag, registration or chance in a lottery.
2. Use of e-mail released pursuant to the freedom of access laws. An e-mail address provided to the department by a customer through its online licensing and registration system before April 2, 2010 that was obtained by a person through a request for information under Title 1, chapter 13 may not be used for solicitation, communication or notification purposes. This use restriction does not apply to the department. A person that violates this subsection commits a civil violation for which a fine of not less than $500 or more than $1,000 may be adjudged.’