Sec. 1. 29-A MRSA §2251, sub-§4, as amended by PL 1997, c. 172, §1, and c. 178, §3, is further amended to read:

4. Investigation. A law enforcement officer who investigates a reportable accident shall:

A. Interview participants and witnesses; and

A-1.__Determine whether the operator of a vehicle involved in a reportable accident has a policy in the amounts of financial responsibility required pursuant to section 1605 at the time of the accident; and

B. Within 5 days from the time of notification of the accident, transmit the original written report containing all available information to the Chief of the State Police and a copy of the report to the Secretary of State.

Every reported accident must be promptly investigated.

If the accident results in serious bodily injury or death of any person, the investigation must be conducted by an officer who has met the training standards of a full-time law enforcement officer. A law enforcement officer who investigates an accident involving a bus or truck with a gross vehicle weight rating or a registered weight in excess of 10,000 pounds that results in the death of any person shall request a certified accident reconstructionist and the Bureau of State Police Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Unit to assist in the investigation of the accident. The Attorney General shall designate an assistant attorney general familiar with federal commercial vehicle laws and regulations to serve as a resource to any district attorney who initiates a prosecution arising from an accident involving a bus or truck with a gross vehicle weight rating or a registered weight in excess of 10,000 pounds that results in the death of any person.

Sec. 2. 29-A MRSA §2251, sub-§6, as enacted by PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 and affected by Pt. B, §5, is amended to read:

6. Financial responsibility information. The 48-hour accident report form must also contain, as prescribed by the Secretary of State, information to determine whether the requirement for proof of financial responsibility is inapplicable.

The person reporting shall furnish additional relevant information as the Secretary of State requires.