As reported in the Washington Post, at a press conference Tuesday a bipartisan group of legislators announced a package of legislation intended to address privacy issues in light of advancement in law enforcement technology. The legislators noted it was the first time they have meaningfully addressed such privacy issues since 1988.

“The technology has gotten way out in front of the law,” said Sen. Jaime Raskin (D-Montgomery), one of four Democrats and two Republicans who attended the news conference organized by the American Civil Liberties Union of Maryland. “We need to re-establish the balance as it pertains to these technologies.”

With exceptions for emergency situations, the bills would require law enforcement agencies within the State’s jurisdiction to operate within specified parameters when engaging in certain surveillance activity. This includes drone surveillance and automatic storage and recording of license plate numbers. It also requires law enforcement to be granted permission from a judge before intercepting online communication. Maryland State Police has not yet taken a position on the issue.

As reported, the bipartisan group included Senators Jaime Raskin (D-Montgomery) and Christopher B. Shank (R-Washington), and Delegates Alfred C. Car Jr. (D-Montogmery),  Samuel I. Rosenberg (D-Baltimore), and  Michael D. Smigiel Sr. (R-Cecil).

For more information, read the full story from the Washington Post.