Bill would restrict commercial use
COLUMBUS — Ohio lawmakers will consider a bill Tuesday that would limit how businesses can use and sell data from Flock Safety cameras and similar systems. The proposal would preserve police use of the technology, which Lorain uses in investigations and Vermilion City Council voted last month to prohibit within city limits.
The Ohio House Public Safety Committee is scheduled to hear House Bill 725 at 9:45 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 10, in Room 114 of the Ohio Statehouse. It will be the bill’s third hearing. The committee agenda says members may consider a revised version.
Republican state Rep. Kevin Miller, the bill’s sponsor, told the committee in March that private companies can collect and profit from plate scans, often without drivers knowing their movements are being recorded. He said the data could be used to track someone without their consent and could aid crimes such as stalking.
As introduced, the bill would make it a first-degree misdemeanor to knowingly collect, use, sell, transfer or share camera images or data for commercial purposes, subject to several exceptions. A conviction could carry up to 180 days in jail and a $1,000 fine, the Ohio Legislative Service Commission said.
Businesses could still collect or use the data in the normal course of business, such as for insurance or to control access to private property. That exception would leave restrictions on commercial sales, transfers and sharing in place. Police could continue to collect, use and share the data for law enforcement work.
Municipalities differ
Lorain police say they use fixed Flock cameras to help find stolen vehicles and missing people and investigate serious crimes. The cameras record plate numbers and vehicle details such as make, model and color, along with the date, time and general location of each image, the department says.
Vermilion City Council voted unanimously Oct. 5 to prohibit the installation, operation or use of Flock and similar systems within the city. Council debated whether to require a warrant or an emergency before Vermilion officers could obtain camera data from elsewhere. The final ordinance allows police to request or receive information from other departments, Vermilion Daily previously reported.
Tuesday’s hearing is scheduled to stream on The Ohio Channel.