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HB 2174

An Act amending Title 75 (Vehicles) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in enforcement, providing for use of automated license plate reader information prohibited.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Mary Jo Daley and 8 co-sponsors

Pennsylvania bill prohibits law enforcement from using automated license plate reader data, citing privacy concerns amid debate over surveillance tools' investigative utility.

Referred to Judiciary
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 2174

Legislative bill overview

HB 2174 would prohibit law enforcement in Pennsylvania from using automated license plate reader (ALPR) information in their operations. The bill amends the state's vehicle code to restrict how police can access and utilize data collected by these technologies that automatically scan and record vehicle license plates.

Why is this important

ALPRs are increasingly deployed across the country and can capture millions of plate images daily, creating massive databases of vehicle movements and locations. This bill addresses growing privacy concerns about mass surveillance and the potential for misuse of location tracking data without explicit legal limitations, which currently don't exist in Pennsylvania law.

Potential points of contention

  • Law enforcement opposition: Police departments argue ALPRs are valuable investigative tools for locating stolen vehicles, amber alerts, and vehicles connected to serious crimes; restrictions could limit their effectiveness
  • Scope and definition: The bill's language on "prohibited use" may be ambiguous—it's unclear whether it bans all ALPR use, only certain applications, or merely information sharing, which could create enforcement challenges
  • Practical implementation: Existing ALPR infrastructure and databases would need to be addressed; the bill doesn't specify consequences for violations or how compliance will be monitored

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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