The Shadow
RICHMOND — The Virginia General Assembly has approved new rules governing how automatic license plate recognition systems can be used across the Commonwealth, setting limits on law enforcement access and adding new reporting requirements.
The move comes amid concerns that Virginia law enforcement agencies using automatic license plate recognition (ALPR) technology have been in violation of state law since restrictions first took effect in July 2025.
Under the legislation, the Division of Purchases and Supply within the Virginia Department of General Services must determine and approve which automatic license plate recognition systems can be used in Virginia. The Division, in consultation with the Virginia Information Technologies Agency, is required to publicly post a list of approved systems by Jan. 1, 2026. That provision takes effect July 1, 2026.
The bill limits the use of the systems by law enforcement agencies to three specific purposes: as part of a criminal investigation where there is reasonable suspicion a crime has been committed; during an active investigation involving a missing or endangered person, including potential alerts or cases tied to human trafficking; or to receive notifications regarding a missing or endangered person, someone with an outstanding warrant, a person associated with human trafficking, a stolen vehicle, or a stolen license plate.
Beginning April 1, 2027, law enforcement agencies using the systems must submit annual reports with de-identified data outlining how the technology is used. The Virginia State Police will compile and publish aggregated statewide data.
Starting Jan. 1, 2026, officers will also be required to document whether a traffic stop or temporary detention was initiated based on a notification from a license plate recognition system and, if so, specify the reason for the alert under state law.
The bill includes a provision requiring law enforcement agencies to obtain a permit from the Virginia Department of Transportation before installing a system on a state right-of-way. That section will not take effect unless it is reenacted by the General Assembly during its 2026 session.
The Virginia State Crime Commission is directed to collect data and survey law enforcement agencies to assess how the systems are being used. The commission must report its findings by the first day of the 2026 Regular Session and again by Nov. 1, 2026.
As introduced, the legislation was a recommendation of the Virginia State Crime Commission.
