The bill introduces a new chapter, CHAPTER 5.3, to Title 12 of the General Laws, titled "Automated License Plate Readers." It defines an automated license plate reader as an electronic device mounted on a law enforcement vehicle or positioned in a stationary location that captures data on vehicle license plates and compares it to existing law enforcement databases for investigative purposes. The definition includes devices owned or operated by non-government entities if the data is shared with law enforcement. However, it excludes devices used solely for recording vehicle speed, tolling, or assessing traffic violations.

The bill mandates that municipal law enforcement agencies must obtain city or town council approval, following a public hearing, before seeking funding, acquiring, or using automated license plate readers. State law enforcement agencies are required to adopt policies and procedures regarding the operation of these systems through rulemaking.

The bill establishes strict regulations on the use of automated license plate readers, specifying that they may only be used for official law enforcement purposes, such as identifying stolen vehicles, those associated with wanted or missing persons, or vehicles involved in ongoing investigations of violent felonies or domestic violence offenses. It prohibits the use of these devices for capturing images of vehicle occupants or passersby and requires that any data collected be purged within 30 days unless it pertains to an active investigation or has resulted in an arrest or citation.

Law enforcement agencies must maintain a public log of their use of automated license plate readers, updated monthly, detailing the number of vehicles scanned, instances of identifying stolen vehicles, and any complaints received. Additionally, agencies must review any preexisting uses of automated license plate readers within 120 days of the chapter's effective date, ceasing use if approval is not obtained within 180 days.

The bill outlines penalties for violations, allowing the attorney general to seek injunctions against agencies found in violation and mandating the destruction of improperly collected data. The act is set to take effect on January 1, 2026.