Automated License Plate Readers (H 7461, S 2614)

In March, the ACLU testified in support of legislation restricting the use of automated licensed plate readers (ALPRs).  Proposed as a way to detect and ticket uninsured motorists, ALPRs have the capacity to track the GPS location of every car they pass, and to transmit insurance and registration information to third parties.  Although ALPRs are gaining interest among law enforcement nationwide, their use, the information captured, and who may access that information remains largely unregulated. Legislation hoped to clarify the acceptable use of this technology, including for locating missing persons and identifying vehicles belonging to individuals with outstanding felony warrants, and place limits on the retention of data collected by ALPRs. Neither bill received a committee vote.