Which states passed license plate reader laws in 2026?

Last reviewed October 25, 2026Oct 25, 20262 min readGuide

MultiState reports that Washington, New Mexico, Kentucky and Connecticut enacted laws regulating automatic license plate readers in 2026. They cover when data can be used, who can get it, data sharing and retention. A statewide law does not tell you what your local operator does, so check your own city's policy.

Four states enacted laws in 2026

MultiState's September 23, 2026 analysis names four enacted laws. Washington's SB 6002 sets out when plate-reader data may be used in investigations, including stolen vehicles, missing or endangered persons, and certain warrants and felony or gross-misdemeanor cases. New Mexico's SB 40 bars sharing the data for immigration enforcement or reproductive-health-care investigations and requires a written declaration before sharing with an out-of-state entity.

Kentucky's HB 58 limits who may receive the data: law enforcement for public safety or criminal investigations, subpoena responses, insurers for fraud, claims and vehicle recovery, and financial institutions for purposes such as repossession. Connecticut's SB 397 limits retention to 21 days.

MultiState: ALPRs face growing state restrictions in 2026

Some action came from governors, not legislatures

The same analysis says Florida and Texas took executive action to ban the cameras from state roads, and that Missouri's governor issued an executive order governing how they can be used. It does not list what each order requires, so read the order itself before relying on a summary.

MultiState summary of executive actions

Several states say they will consider it next

MultiState says lawmakers in Indiana, Nevada, Ohio, Utah and Virginia have indicated they will consider the topic next session. An intention to consider a bill is not a bill, and nothing here predicts what will pass.

MultiState: states expected to take it up

A state law is the floor, not your city's policy

Retention, sharing and access in your area also depend on your operator's policy and contracts. Ask your city or county which vendor it uses, what retention period applies, who it shares with, and whether it has changed since a new state law took effect.

FlockDetour maps documented camera locations. It does not see captured plates or a system's retention settings, so a map pin cannot tell you what a state law changed locally.

Please provide the current policy for license plate reader data in [city/county], including the retention period, the agencies and entities it is shared with, and any changes made after [state law] took effect.

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