Rhode Island House Bill H5365

Rhode Island 2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/3/23
• Refer: 2/3/23

Caption

Automated License Plate Readers

Impact

The bill requires that law enforcement agencies maintain a public log detailing the use of ALPRs, including the number of vehicles scanned, the databases accessed, and any complaints received. This measure aims to foster accountability and mitigate concerns surrounding potential misuse of data collected through ALPR technology. It sets specific limitations on the usage of ALPRs, allowing them to be used solely for law enforcement purposes such as identifying stolen vehicles or tracking wanted persons, while explicitly prohibiting any actions that would infringe upon individual privacy rights.

Summary

House Bill H5365 establishes a framework for the acquisition and usage of Automated License Plate Readers (ALPRs) by municipal and state law enforcement agencies in Rhode Island. The proposed legislation mandates that law enforcement agencies must receive city or town council approval before procuring or utilizing ALPRs. This requirement is intended to ensure transparency and local oversight regarding the use of technology that captures and processes vehicle license plate data. The goal of the bill is to standardize the operation and implementation of ALPRs while protecting the privacy rights of citizens.

Contention

Debate over HB H5365 has raised important questions about the balance between law enforcement utility and individual privacy. Proponents argue that the use of ALPRs can significantly improve public safety by allowing for quick identification of vehicles linked to criminal activity. Conversely, opponents express concerns that the broad application of such technology might lead to overreach and the infringement of civil liberties, as it involves extensive data collection on innocent individuals. Furthermore, there are apprehensions related to how collected data could be stored and potentially abused outside of immediate law enforcement needs.