The California State Senate is considering a bill to prohibit law enforcement agencies in California from selling data collected by automatic license plate readers.

Senate Bill 893 would prohibit license plate reader operators from selling data to non-law enforcement agencies or to non-law enforcement officials. Law enforcement access to the data retained for more than five years would require a court order. Violators of the law would be subject to civil action, and private citizens affected by the breach would be entitled to recover damages, including all costs and attorney’s fees.