Sep. 30, 2016

HARRISBURG – The House Transportation Committee has unanimously passed legislation authored by state Rep. Tommy Sankey (R-Clearfield/Cambria) that would regulate use of high-speed cameras that are employed to read license plates.

“Although PennDOT’s plan to eliminate Pennsylvania registration stickers next year has brought automated license plate readers (known as ALPRs) into the conversation, the use of these devices is already fairly widespread throughout the Commonwealth,” Sankey said. “Unfortunately, the opportunity for misuse of this technology currently exists. House Bill 2196 would put in statute who can use these devices and what can and cannot be done with the information that is acquired.”

House Bill 2196 defines the following:

  • Authorized users- State, county or local law enforcement agencies may only use an ALPR for legitimate law enforcement purposes, conducting criminal investigations or ensuring compliance with federal, state and local laws. In addition, a government entity may use an ALPR for enforcing state and local parking laws, and controlling access to a secured area.
  • Restrictions – Manual entry of registration plate numbers must be accompanied by documentation as to why the authorized individual did so. ALPRs employed by law enforcement must be incapable of any kind of user-controlled remote surveillance.
     
  • Storage and disclosure of data - Data obtained by the use of an ALPR must be stored centrally at the Pennsylvania State Police Criminal Intelligence Center. Captured data may not be sold, traded, disseminated or exchanged for any purpose by a law enforcement agency or government entity, unless shared between agencies for purposes prescribed under this bill. It is also not subject to the Right-to-Know Law.
“Technology is a wonderful thing, provided it is not used to someone’s detriment.” added Sankey. “With no laws currently in place regarding use of APLRs, House Bill 2196 is needed to set some ground rules.”

Questions about this or any legislative issue should be directed to Sankey’s Clearfield district office at (814) 765-0609, his Osceola Mills office at (814) 339-6544 or his Hastings office at (814) 247-6210.

Representative Tommy Sankey
73rd District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Scott Little
717.260.6137
slittle@pahousegop.com
RepSankey.com / Facebook.com/RepSankey
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