Relates to automatic license plate reader systems

◆ The sponsor's argument

Why Michelle Hinchey says this is needed

Automatic license plate readers (ALPR systems) are a technology that utilize a combination of cameras and computer software to indiscrimi- nately scan the license plates of passing vehicles, They are rapidly being adopted by law enforcement throughout the country, with 173 law enforcement agencies collectively scanning 2.5 billion licenses plates from 2016 and 2017 alone. The trend of misusing this technology as a form of surveillance infrastructure by bad actors, or unauthorized shar- ing between police jurisdictions, remains a nationwide issue. Currently, there is no regulatory framework in New York State that outlines restrictions and unlawful use of ALPR systems on behalf of New York State entities and law enforcement, nor is there existing state regu- lation on ALPR data transfer, storage, and sharing. This bill would establish a comprehensive ALPR system and captured plate data regulatory framework to protect the privacy of New Yorkers and the traveling public. It defines how long captured plate data can be stored, restricts the use and sharing of data collected by ALPR systems, and establishes reporting requirements for the usage of ALPR systems. ALPR systems and ALPR data laws are being introduced or reformed in over two dozen states throughout the country. These provisions have been developed to balance the use of ALPR technology for legitimate law enforcement purposes and basic state operations (e.g. electronic toll collection), while also maintaining protection for individual's privacy.

This is the sponsor's own case for the bill, quoted from their memorandum. It is not Agora's description of what the bill does.