The proposed bill establishes a regulatory framework for the use of automatic registration plate readers (plate readers) by law enforcement agencies in Iowa, defining key terms such as "audit trail," "plate reader data," and "vendor." It mandates that law enforcement agencies can only use plate readers that have been approved by a designated procurement team, ensuring that vendors meet security and data retention standards. The bill requires that plate reader data be purged within twenty-one days and audit trail data within two years, with exceptions for ongoing investigations. Additionally, it classifies plate reader data as confidential, prohibits its sale, and establishes strict recordkeeping and operational policies for law enforcement agencies.

The legislation also introduces significant penalties for violations, including serious misdemeanor charges for unauthorized use or dissemination of plate reader data, which can lead to confinement for up to one year and fines between $430 and $2,560. It requires law enforcement to report their use of plate readers to the department of public safety, the governor, and the general assembly, while promoting public awareness of their usage. The bill does not apply to automated traffic law enforcement systems related to parking, speed limits, tolls, high-occupancy vehicle regulations, or emissions monitoring, and it repeals existing provisions regarding the use of vehicle registration plate readers to create a new Code chapter for their regulation.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 321Q.4