Automated license plate reader privacy bill advances
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Automated license plate reader privacy bill advances February 18, 2025
Rep. John Hodgson, R-Fisherville, speaks on House Bill 20 before the House Transportation Committee on Tuesday. The bill would regulate automated license plate reader data and other electronic tracking measures. A high-resolution photo can be found here.
FRANKFORT — A bill that would regulate automated license plate reader data and other electronic tracking measures is on the move.
Rep. John Hodgson, R-Fisherville, is the primary sponsor of House Bill 20. The same bill advanced from the House unanimously last year but stalled in the Senate, he told the House Transportation Committee on Tuesday.
Under HB 20, any entity maintaining or deploying automated license plate readers would be required to delete the collected data within 60 days, unless it is being used as evidence in an investigation or for toll collection. The bill would also prohibit the sale of the data.
Additionally, HB 20 would protect Kentuckians from being required, coerced or compelled to be “microchipped” or administered a subcutaneous device.
The legislation also seeks to protect Kentuckians from unlawful surveillance via a tracking device on a person or property. There would be exceptions. Law enforcement would not be prevented from lawfully using tracking devices, for example.
“Basically, we’re trying to avoid the non-consensual tracking of the movements of American citizens,” Hodgson said.
During discussion, Rep. Anne Gay Donworth, D-Lexington, asked Hodgson, “Who will be responsible for making sure that the information is deleted after 60 days?”
Hodgson said law enforcement entities, who are typically the ones managing automated license plate readers, would be responsible.
“We rely on the goodwill of the vendors who have that policy in place now, but this would make it illegal to do that,” Hodgson added.
Rep. Matthew Lehman, D-Newport, said he noticed the bill allows victims of violations to take civil action, but he suggested considering adding criminal penalties in the future.
“I’m very supportive of the bill. But if there’s multiple victims involved or a bad actor, I think maybe also amending the criminal code would be helpful,” Lehman said.
Rep. Samara Heavrin, R-Leitchfield, said she hopes HB 20 paves the way for highway safety camera legislation.
The House Transportation Committee unanimously approved HB 20. It now heads to the full House for consideration.
News Releases are provided by the LRC Public Information Office. All photos are attributed to LRC Staff.
https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/publicservices/pio/release.html#HB20021825
