RICHMOND, Va. – On Thursday, the Virginia House unanimously passed a bill that would set the stage to limit the acquisition and use of facial recognition surveillance technology. The proposed law would not only help protect privacy in Virginia; it would also hinder one aspect of the federal surveillance state.
Delegate Lashrecse D. Aird (D-Petersburg) introduced House Bill 2031 (HB2031) on Jan. 12. The legislation would prohibit a local law enforcement agency or campus police department from purchasing or deploying facial recognition technology unless the local governing body where the law enforcement body is located adopts an ordinance authorizing the use of facial recognition technology.
Any law enforcement agency using facial recognition prior to the effective date of the bill would be prohibited from using facial recognition technology after the law goes into effect unless the local government adopts an ordinance authorizing its use.
Today, the House unanimously approved HB2031 with a 100-0 vote.
While the passage of HB2031 would not end the use of facial recognition technology in Virginia, it would take an important first step in limiting it. Police departments can acquire surveillance technology in complete secrecy using undesignated department funds or federal grant money. Sometimes, elected officials aren’t even aware of its use.
The proposed law would ensure facial recognition surveillance technology is acquired and operated with transparency and oversight in the state, and also give residents a say in the process. The requirement of local government approval would also provide an avenue to limit the proliferation of this invasive surveillance technology.
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