Bill > HB920

This bill establishes comprehensive regulations for the use of license plate readers (LPRs) by law enforcement agencies in Virginia. The bill defines a license plate reader as a high-speed camera system that scans license plates, and a data trust as a secure digital storage system for collected data. The legislation strictly limits the use of LPRs to identifying vehicles associated with wanted or missing persons, stolen vehicles, or vehicles involved in active law enforcement investigations. Law enforcement agencies must enter into agreements with vendors or entities to operate a data trust, and the collected data is restricted to vehicle details and timestamp information. The bill prohibits capturing images of vehicle occupants and requires that LPRs cannot be used for general surveillance. Data collected must be purged within 30 days, with exceptions for ongoing investigations or arrests. Law enforcement agencies must develop training protocols, maintain detailed records of LPR usage, and publish annual reports with usage statistics. The bill includes robust privacy protections, mandating that the data cannot be sold, marketed, or publicly disclosed, and can only be shared with other law enforcement agencies through proper legal channels. Violations of the bill's provisions can result in significant civil penalties, including a $10,000 fine per disclosure and potential revocation of LPR permits. The legislation aims to balance law enforcement needs with individual privacy rights by establishing clear, strict guidelines for LPR technology use.

Justice

https://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?251+sum+HB920