Harrisburg – On October 19, the state House of Representatives passed a bipartisan bill designed to protect drivers’ privacy by regulating the use of automated license plate readers (ALPRs) –such as Flock cameras– by government agencies in Pennsylvania.

House Bill 2771 would restrict the use of automated license plate readers (ALPRs) by government agencies to specific purposes: law enforcement (including criminal investigations), certain parking enforcement measures, and access control for secure areas.

Furthermore, agencies would be required to destroy data captured by ALPRs within 72 hours if it is not relevant to an investigation or law enforcement matter; the sale, exchange, or disclosure of such data would be prohibited. Agencies would also be required to implement policies that include audits, as well as procedures for the screening and training of employees.

“We must take steps to ensure that our data remains safe and protected as our digital world expands,” said O’Mara. “While these readers are a useful tool for law enforcement, their use is currently unregulated, which raises significant privacy concerns for motorists. Pennsylvania drivers deserve the peace of mind that comes with knowing their private information truly remains private.”

Automated license plate readers (ALPRs) use artificial intelligence technology to capture images of vehicles and their license plates, subsequently sharing them across national databases. Their use has spread nationwide since the 2017 founding of Flock Safety, a manufacturer of such devices.

It is estimated that there are nearly 4,000 active ALPRs in Pennsylvania. According to the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), Pennsylvania ranks ninth in the country in terms of the number of documented ALPR systems.

O’Mara’s bill will now move to the Senate for consideration.