The Assembly Public Safety and Preparedness Committee held an extensive public hearing last week to discuss legislation addressing the use of automated license plate readers (ALPRs), examining concerns about individual privacy and the use of the technology by law enforcement.

The discussion centered in part on legislation sponsored by Assemblyman Joe Danielsen, who chairs the committee. The bill would regulate the use of ALPR data by law enforcement officers in the state. The committee heard comments from the ACLU, New Jersey Office of the Public Defender, New Jersey Policy Perspective, and New Jersey State Police, among others.

Testimony raised concerns that information collected through the technology could be used to track undocumented people or individuals seeking abortion care, highlighting the potential intrusion on personal privacy. Privacy concerns surrounding the readers have been raised in Trenton before. Representatives from the Attorney General’s Office and law enforcement also testified, emphasizing that safeguards are already in place to regulate the use of automated license plate readers and protect against misuse.

“Our world looks very different than it did just a few years ago, particularly when it comes to the technology available to law enforcement,” said Assemblyman Danielsen (D-Middlesex, Somerset). “As these tools continue to evolve, safeguards are critical to maintaining public trust. Transparency must be clear, open, and meaningful so that the public understands how this technology is being used and what protections are in place.”

The committee advanced other bills addressing the establishment of guidelines for emerging technologies used by law enforcement, including another bill sponsored by Assemblyman Danielsen, which would prohibit facial recognition technology from serving as the sole basis for establishing probable cause for an arrest warrant.

Law enforcement agencies in all 21 counties have previously received grants to fund automated license plate reader technology.