PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — A bill that would rein in the use of Automated License Plate Readers, like Flock cameras, passed the State House with bipartisan support. But it likely won’t have time to get through the State Senate.
The House bill would require a warrant for ALPR database searches, allow searches for suspects in a felony — not in misdemeanors — and allow continued use in tolling, parking enforcement, and checks for car registration and insurance.
It would make it illegal to improperly search the database, and would clarify that the government agency owns the data, not the company behind the cameras.
Republican State Rep. and former prosecutor Tim Bonner said he supports the restrictions, but he questions why it allows ALPR use in felony investigations and parking, but not for misdemeanors.
“Either we're going to allow these cameras with rigid safeguards, as this legislation attempts to take an initial step to do, or we should prohibit them if you're philosophically opposed to their use. You can't have it both ways,” Bonner said.
Other House members agree with Bonner, saying the bill might not be perfect, but it puts important restrictions in place to protect Constitutional rights.
The bill passed the House 190-13. But as the State Senate has only two session days scheduled after the election, it’s unlikely it will make it to the finish line.
