Rhode Island extends pause on new license plate readers

Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee has extended a statewide pause on the installation of new automated license plate readers (ALPRs) while the state legislature drafts new laws. The pause, which began in August, was initiated to address concerns regarding privacy, oversight, and data sharing.

In conjunction with the pause, the administration released a voluntary model policy and data-sharing template developed by the Rhode Island State Police and various law enforcement associations. The proposed policy includes prohibitions on using the technology for immigration enforcement or investigations involving reproductive and gender-affirming healthcare. It also mandates that data be deleted within 30 days unless required for valid law enforcement purposes.

To increase transparency, the policy suggests a public portal to list operational cameras and usage statistics. However, civil liberties groups, including the ACLU of Rhode Island and Planned Parenthood, have criticized the administration, claiming they were excluded from the policy-making process.