(1) Each applicant for an operator’s license or state identification card shall have his or her digital image captured. Digital images shall be preserved for use as prescribed in sections 60-4,119, 60-4,151, and 60-4,180. The images shall be used for issuing operators’ licenses and state identification cards. The images may be retrieved only by the Department of Motor Vehicles for issuing renewal and replacement operators’ licenses and state identification cards and may not be otherwise released except in accordance with subsection (3) of this section.

(2) Upon application for an operator’s license or state identification card, each applicant shall provide his or her signature in a form prescribed by the department. Digital signatures shall be preserved for use on original, renewal, and replacement operators’ licenses and state identification cards and may not be otherwise released except in accordance with subsection (4) of this section.

(3) No officer, employee, agent, or contractor of the department or law enforcement officer shall release a digital image except to a federal, state, or local law enforcement agency, a certified law enforcement officer employed in an investigative position by a federal, state, or local agency, or a driver licensing agency of another state for the purpose of carrying out the functions of the agency or assisting another agency in carrying out its functions upon the verification of the identity of the person requesting the release of the information and the verification of the purpose of the requester in requesting the release. Any officer, employee, agent, or contractor of the department or law enforcement officer that knowingly discloses or knowingly permits disclosure of a digital image or digital signature in violation of this section shall be guilty of a Class I misdemeanor.

(4) No officer, employee, agent, or contractor of the department or law enforcement officer shall release a digital signature except (a) to a federal, state, or local law enforcement agency, a certified law enforcement officer employed in an investigative position by a state or federal agency, or a driver licensing agency of another state for the purpose of carrying out the functions of the agency or assisting another agency in carrying out its functions upon the verification of the identity of the person requesting the release of the information and the verification of the purpose of the requester in requesting the release or (b) to the office of the Secretary of State for the purpose of voter registration as described in section 32-304, 32-308, or 32-309 upon the verification of the identity of the person requesting the release of the information and the verification of the purpose of the requester in requesting the release. No employee or official in the office of the Secretary of State shall release a digital signature except to a federal, state, or local law enforcement agency, a certified law enforcement officer employed in an investigative position by a state or federal agency, or a driver licensing agency of another state for the purpose of carrying out the functions of the agency or assisting another agency in carrying out its functions upon the verification of the identity of the person requesting the release of the information and the verification of the purpose of the requester in requesting the release. Any officer, employee, agent, or contractor of the department, law enforcement officer, or employee or official in the office of the Secretary of State that knowingly discloses or knowingly permits disclosure of a digital signature in violation of this section shall be guilty of a Class I misdemeanor.