This bill prohibits the use of automatic registration plate readers (plate readers) by covered entities, which include state agencies, law enforcement agencies, and private entities acting on behalf of the government. It mandates that any covered entity that previously used a plate reader must remove the equipment and destroy all associated data within 30 days of the bill's enactment. The bill also preempts any local ordinances that may allow for the use of plate readers, emphasizing the protection of individual privacy rights against mass surveillance practices.

Additionally, the bill establishes a private right of action for individuals whose data has been collected in violation of the new regulations, allowing them to sue for damages, including a minimum of $1,000 per violation per day. It limits the admissibility of evidence obtained through plate readers in legal proceedings and imposes civil penalties of at least $10,000 for violations. The attorney general is granted the authority to take action against violators, and individuals who knowingly authorize unlawful use of plate readers can also face personal liability. The bill is effective immediately upon enactment.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 321Q.2