WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

HB 1295

Law enforcement; artificial intelligence inventory, civil action.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Nadarius Clark and 1 co-sponsor

Virginia law requiring police agencies to inventory AI systems and publicly disclose them, with private lawsuits for violations.

Continued to next session in Communications, Technology and Innovation (Voice Vote)
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 1295

Legislative bill overview

HB 1295 requires law enforcement agencies in Virginia to maintain and publicly disclose inventories of artificial intelligence systems they use or are considering using. The bill also creates a civil action mechanism allowing individuals to sue for violations of these disclosure requirements.

Why is this important

As police departments increasingly adopt AI tools for facial recognition, predictive policing, and other applications, transparency about these systems is critical for public accountability. This bill attempts to ensure communities know what surveillance and decision-making technologies their law enforcement agencies deploy, which affects privacy rights and due process concerns.

Potential points of contention

  • Implementation costs: Small police departments may struggle with compliance burdens, particularly detailed AI inventory documentation requirements
  • Scope of "AI": Defining what qualifies as artificial intelligence (does it include basic algorithms? software updates?) could create disputes about what must be disclosed
  • Private right of action implications: Allowing civil suits may lead to extensive litigation over technical compliance rather than focusing on substantive AI governance issues
  • Operational security concerns: Law enforcement may argue detailed AI inventory disclosures could compromise investigations or create security vulnerabilities

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

Sign in to ask a question.