Provides for municipal and state police authorities to acquire and to utilize automated license plate readers. Further, the act identifies what data may be collected and in what ways the data can be used.
Impact
By mandating that local law enforcement agencies obtain municipal approval before acquiring or using ALPR technology, S1013 seeks to impose greater oversight on the deployment of surveillance technologies. This provision ensures that city councils must hold public hearings regarding the funding or use of ALPRs, reflecting an attempt to balance law enforcement needs with public transparency and accountability. Additionally, the bill includes provisions for a public log of usage, enhancing community awareness and oversight of how data is being utilized.
Summary
S1013, introduced by Senator Robert Britto, pertains to automated license plate readers (ALPRs) within the realm of criminal procedure. The bill allows municipal and state police authorities to acquire and utilize these devices, which are designed to capture vehicle license plate information for law enforcement purposes. The act stipulates a clear definition of what constitutes an automated license plate reader and outlines the permissible uses of data collected through these devices, emphasizing their use for identifying stolen vehicles and assisting in active investigations.
Contention
The bill has sparked discussions regarding civil liberties and the right to privacy. While proponents argue that it enables law enforcement to combat crime more effectively, critics raise concerns about the potential for misuse and overreach, fearing that widespread data collection could infringe upon individual privacy rights. The legislation also mandates that any data collected contrary to the specified guidelines must be destroyed, which aims to protect citizens' rights but may lead to contention over enforcement responsibilities and interpretations of compliance. Additionally, the bill establishes penalties for violations of its provisions, providing a mechanism for accountability within law enforcement agencies.
Provides for municipal and state police authorities to acquire and to utilize automated license plate readers. Further, the act identifies what data may be collected and in what ways the data can be used.
Makes changes to the access to public records act, including clarifying various provisions, increasing the sanctions for knowing and willful violations of the law, and making certain traffic accident data and preferred license plate information public.
Makes changes to the access to public records act, including clarifying various provisions, increasing the sanctions for knowing and willful violations of the law, and making certain traffic accident data and preferred license plate information public.
Authorizes the use of automated traffic violation monitoring systems for all traffic signal laws, including the "Don't Block the Box Statute" and allows for jurisdiction of the Don't Block the Box statute violations to be within a municipal court.
Authorizes the use of automated traffic violation monitoring systems for all traffic signal laws, including the "Don't Block the Box Statute" and allows for jurisdiction of the Don't Block the Box statute violations to be within a municipal court.
Requires that the license plates of a vehicle be confiscated by a police officer if the owner was arrested for driving while their license was suspended, revoked or cancelled for refusing to submit to a chemical test or for operating under the influence.
Allows temporary vehicle registration and plates issued to Rhode Island residents by another state to be valid; provided that, the plates and registration issued to an out-of-state resident by a Rhode Island seller are valid in that other state.
Includes municipal detention facility corporations as exempt from taxation, and requires that an amount equal to twenty-seven percent (27%) of all tax that would have been collected if the property was taxable be paid to the municipality annually.