Substitute House Bill No. 5449 introduces comprehensive regulations governing the use of Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) systems by public and law enforcement agencies in Connecticut, effective October 1, 2026. The bill defines key terms related to ALPR data and restricts its use to specific purposes, such as traffic enforcement and criminal investigations, while imposing a 30-day retention limit on collected data unless certain conditions, like ongoing investigations or judicial warrants, are met. It also prohibits the use of ALPR data for monitoring individuals based on protected characteristics, investigating immigration violations, and collecting data near reproductive health facilities. Additionally, the bill mandates that public agencies adopt a written usage and privacy policy by January 1, 2027, and establishes strict conditions for data sharing, including the requirement of a judicially issued warrant for certain requests.

The bill further enhances accountability and transparency by requiring law enforcement agencies to submit annual reports on their ALPR usage to the University of Connecticut's Institute for Municipal and Regional Policy, which will compile and analyze these reports for a consolidated overview. It allows individuals to seek legal remedies for violations of the bill's provisions and tasks the Police Officer Standards and Training Council with developing a model policy for ALPR usage by December 1, 2026. The Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection is also required to adopt binding regulations by January 1, 2028, ensuring that these regulations are updated every five years to reflect changes in law and technology. Overall, the bill aims to balance the use of ALPR technology in law enforcement with the protection of civil liberties and privacy rights.