Provides for municipal and state police authorities to acquire and to utilize automated license plate readers and identify what data may be collected and in what ways the data can be used.

Rhode Island Automated License Plate Reader Bill

This bill would establish rules for how Rhode Island's state and local police departments can use automated license plate readers (ALPRs) — cameras that automatically scan and record the license plates of passing vehicles. Currently, there are no clear statewide guidelines governing this technology. The bill would formally allow police agencies to acquire and operate these devices while also setting boundaries on what information can be collected and how it can be used.

The legislation affects essentially anyone who drives a vehicle in Rhode Island, since ALPRs can capture data from any passing car, not just those involved in suspected criminal activity. It also directly affects law enforcement agencies statewide, as it would define the legal framework within which they can deploy this technology. Key details — such as how long the collected data can be stored, who can access it, and what purposes it can be used for — would be spelled out in the bill's specific provisions.

It's worth noting that this bill is still in its early stages. It was introduced in the Rhode Island House of Representatives, referred to the House Judiciary Committee, and is currently being held for further study, meaning lawmakers are still reviewing and discussing it before deciding whether to move it forward. No final decisions have been made about its passage.