← All news

October 19, 2026 · Pennsylvania · State action

Pennsylvania House passes a bill to limit license plate readers like Flock, 190-13

The Pennsylvania House voted 190-13 on Monday, Oct. 19, 2026, to pass House Bill 2771, sponsored by Rep. Jennifer O'Mara (D-Delaware), which would regulate government use of automated license plate readers such as Flock cameras, according to the House Democratic Caucus and City & State Pennsylvania. Per the caucus release, agencies could use the readers only for law enforcement, including criminal investigations, certain parking enforcement and controlling access to secured areas; data not relevant to an investigation or enforcement matter would have to be destroyed within 72 hours; the sale, trade and sharing of captured data would be banned; and agencies would need policies covering audits and employee screening and training. City & State reported the bill would also bar personal, political or commercial use, frontal images of vehicles, and identifying drivers, passengers or the contents of a vehicle, and would require users to complete training approved by the Pennsylvania State Police and the Municipal Police Officers' Education and Training Commission. Rep. Timothy Bonner (R-Mercer), who voted no, objected that the bill would not allow the cameras to be used in misdemeanor or juvenile cases. The ACLU of Pennsylvania praised the vote. The bill now goes to the state Senate, which is scheduled to meet for two days in mid-November, the Pennsylvania Capital-Star reported.

♥ For Flock's Sake is independent and ad-free. If it helped, chip in to keep it running ($5 tip or from $3/month, secure checkout by Stripe).