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HB 3719

LOCAL RECORDS-POLICE SCANNERS

104th Regular Session Introduced by La Shawn Ford

Requires encrypting agencies to provide real-time decrypted access to encrypted police scanner transmissions for certain media (broadcast stations and newspapers).

Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee
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Bill Summary · HB 3719

Summary — HB 3719 (LOCAL RECORDS — POLICE SCANNERS)

Status: Introduced in 2025; enacted text added to Emergency Telephone System Act (50 ILCS 750). Effective date (if enacted): January 1, 2026. Companion: SB 1293.

Purpose

HB 3719 requires law enforcement agencies in Illinois that encrypt police scanner transmissions to provide real‑time access to those encrypted transmissions to certain media organizations. The intent is to ensure broadcast media and newspapers can receive live feeds even when agencies use encryption.

Key provisions

  • Adds Section 85 to the Emergency Telephone System Act (50 ILCS 750).
  • Requires any law enforcement agency that encrypts police scanner transmissions to provide, “by license or otherwise,” real‑time access to those encrypted transmissions to:
    • broadcast stations and radio broadcast stations (terms referenced to the federal definition in 47 U.S.C. §153), and
    • newspapers (as defined in Section 5 of the Illinois Notice By Publication Act).
  • Effective date: January 1, 2026.

Who is affected

  • Law enforcement agencies that currently encrypt radio/scanner transmissions — they must implement a mechanism (licensing or other agreement) to provide real‑time decrypted access to qualifying media.
  • Broadcast stations, radio broadcast stations, and newspapers — eligible to receive real‑time access to encrypted law enforcement transmissions.
  • Indirectly affects the public (via media reporting) and vendors/suppliers if agencies need technical solutions to distribute decrypted feeds.

Procedural timeline / current status (selected actions)

  • Introduced in the General Assembly (first reading 2/18/2025; filed 3/4/2025).
  • Assigned to multiple committees (Rules; Judiciary — Criminal; Delivery of Government Efficiency).
  • Recorded committee hearings and reports in April 2025.
  • Passed one chamber and was received by the other; as of 2025-05-08 it was read and referred to the Business & Commerce Committee.

Considerations / potential impacts

  • Transparency: increases media access to live law enforcement communications for reporting.
  • Public safety and officer safety: agencies commonly encrypt channels to protect tactical operations and officer safety; the bill does not specify limits, redaction requirements, or emergency exceptions.
  • Operational and technical implications: agencies may incur costs to build licensing arrangements, authentication systems, or secure feeds for media outlets.
  • Legal and policy issues: the bill relies on “by license or otherwise” but does not detail standards, oversight, or penalties for noncompliance. Federal definitions (47 U.S.C. §153) are invoked for media categories.

This summary focuses on the bill’s substantive obligation (providing real‑time access to encrypted transmissions) and highlights practical and policy implications that may warrant further legislative detail.

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

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