Relating to the use of automatic registration plate readers, and providing penalties

Under current law, the operator of an automatic registration plate reader (plate reader) is required to permanently delete every image of a vehicle registration plate captured by the plate reader, and any other accompanying data, within days after the image was captured. Prior to deletion from the plate reader, a law enforcement agency is authorized to copy and store an image of a vehicle registration plate captured by a plate reader, and any other accompanying data, if the image and data are relevant to an ongoing criminal case or investigation. Copies maintained by a law enforcement agency are not required to be deleted, but the law enforcement agency must maintain the copies in accordance with the agency’s evidence retention policies. A person who violates the deletion requirement commits a simple misdemeanor. A simple misdemeanor is punishable by confinement for no more than days and a fine of at least $105 but not more than $855. This bill further regulates the operation of plate readers, including by reducing the retention period from days to days, prohibiting certain uses, restricting access, limiting the sharing of data, and providing for public oversight and audits regarding the use of plate readers. A person who uses or accesses a plate reader in violation of the bill commits a simple misdemeanor.