On February 29, 2024, Associate Policy Director Sarah Sample submitted a Letter of Information to the House Environment and Transportation Committee on HB 1001- Motor Vehicles- Automated Enforcement Programs- Privacy Protections. This bill limits the use of and access to images recorded by automated enforcement programs by law enforcement. It also mandates several procedures and requirements for automated enforcement programs run by local governments.
Only a handful of jurisdictions have enabled some form of automated enforcement, and all are operated by a specified unit that oversees them within local law enforcement or transportation divisions. Each unit has established policies for how data is collected, reviewed, and stored. Some have standards above and beyond those identified in the legislation.
Counties appreciate the incredible need for privacy and security when it comes to data handling procedures, particularly records with identifying information of community members. It is a responsibility they do not take lightly as is evidenced by existing standards. The provisions of this bill intend to uphold the safety and security of this information and are well-meaning but, in a few narrow instances, potentially improbable.
HB 1001 was heard in the opposite chamber, the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee, on March 27. MACo submitted a Letter of Information on this bill.
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