The Arkansas Senate has unanimously approved keeping the names of children involved in motor vehicle accidents from being released to the public.
The Senate voted 35-0 Tuesday to exempt the identities of minors listed in motor vehicle accident reports from being released under the state Freedom of Information Act. The proposal now heads to the House for a vote.
Republican Sen. Eddie Joe Williams of Cabot said he proposed the exemption after hearing complaints from parents of children who were in a school bus accident last year. Williams says the families were contacted by chiropractors who found their children's names in police reports.
The proposal faces opposition from press groups who say it weakens the state's law on open records.