Bill > HB3719

This bill amends the Emergency Telephone System Act to require law enforcement agencies that encrypt police scanner transmissions to provide real-time access to those transmissions to specific media outlets. Specifically, when a law enforcement agency chooses to encrypt its police scanner communications, it must ensure that broadcast stations, broadcasting stations, radio broadcast stations (as defined in federal communications law), and newspapers can still receive those transmissions in real-time. This could be accomplished through a licensing arrangement or another method of providing access. The bill is set to take effect on January 1, 2026, giving agencies time to prepare for the new requirement. The purpose appears to be maintaining transparency and ensuring media outlets can continue to access important public safety information, even as law enforcement agencies move towards more secure communication methods.

Justice

https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/BillStatus.asp?DocNum=3719&GAID=18&DocTypeID=HB&SessionID=114&GA=104