HB 1496

Abstract

Surveillance technology reporting by state and local law-enforcement agencies and sheriff's departments. Requires all state and local law-enforcement agencies and sheriff's departments to provide to the Department of Criminal Justice Services (the Department) a list of surveillance technologies, defined in the bill, procured by such agencies and departments on an annual basis by November 1 of each year. The bill requires the Department to provide such information to the Virginia State Crime Commission and the Joint Commission on Technology and Science.

Surveillance technology reporting by localities; report. Requires localities to provide to the Department of Criminal Justice Services (the Department) a list of surveillance technologies, defined in the bill, used by law-enforcement agencies of the locality and requires the Department to provide such information to the Joint Commission on Technology and Science (the Commission). The bill requires the Commission to conduct a study, in consultation with a representative from the Virginia State Crime Commission, on the use of each such surveillance technology and the implications of its use, susceptibility to misuse or cyberattack, and cost.

Surveillance Technology Registry; created.Directs the Department of Criminal Justice Services (the Department)to create and maintain a registry of surveillance technologies, definedin the bill, and related information provided by localities and toprovide notice to localities that fail to properly register. Thebill requires localities, prior to implementing the use of any surveillancetechnology, to register such surveillance technology with the SurveillanceTechnology Registry and provide information including (i) the type of surveillance technology used, (ii) the cost and vendor of thesurveillance technology, (iii) the approximate location of the surveillancetechnology, and (iv) any storage and use requirements for the surveillancetechnology. The bill requires the Department, for any type of surveillancetechnology that has not previously been registered, to request theJoint Commission on Technology and Science to study and issue a reporton such surveillance technology.