License Plate Readers Get New Regulations, Body Cams Won't

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Minnesota lawmakers have approved legislation imposing regulations on police agencies that use license plate readers, but they will wait for now to set new laws for body cameras.

The compromise bill sent Sunday to Gov. Mark Dayton limits how long agencies can keep location data gathered by cameras on squad cars or at fixed locations. Data unrelated to active criminal investigations must be destroyed within 60 days. The collected data would be deemed nonpublic.

Additionally, police agencies that use them must keep logs of use and submit to independent audits once every two years.

Lawmakers have been trying for two years to balance plate readers as tools for investigation with concerns of warrantless surveillance.

The House and Senate deadlocked on rules for body camera use and data access.

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