MOVIES - Nov. 30, 1989

Actress’ Murder Sparks Floridians: Florida actors want the law changed to make it more difficult to obtain their home addresses from state files. Citing last July’s murder in Hollywood of actress Rebecca Schaeffer by a crazed fan who got her address through the California Department of Motor Vehicles, a lobbyist for a Florida actors’ association said, “We’re trying to prevent something like (Schaeffer’s murder) from ever happening here.” Under current Florida law, information from driver’s licenses and motor vehicle registration forms is listed on computerized files with the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles and is readily accessible for a $2 fee. Under the proposed law, Florida drivers would be allowed to register an alternate address, such as a business or post-office box. Home addresses would be released only to law-enforcement officers, insurance companies and banks. The proposal is patterned after a bill passed by the California Legislature after Schaeffer’s murder that takes effect in January.