Could Kentucky’s HB58 Change How ALPR Data Is Used Across the State?

‍What Is Kentucky’s HB58?

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Kentucky’s HB58 is a new statewide license plate reader privacy law that regulates how automatic license plate reader (ALPR) data may be collected, retained, shared, and used across Kentucky.

The Kentucky legislature passed HB58 after several legislative sessions of discussion involving lawmakers, law enforcement leaders, privacy stakeholders, and technology providers. The bill was signed by Governor Andy Beshear and will take effect on July 15, 2026.

HB58 establishes clear statewide standards for ALPR technology while preserving its use for lawful public safety purposes. The law applies to agencies and organizations that use automated license plate readers across Kentucky, including communities around Louisville and Lexington, and throughout the Commonwealth.

The legislation reflects a broader national trend toward establishing statewide ALPR laws that balance:

• Public safety needs
• Privacy protections
• Transparency requirements
• Accountability standards
• Local control over implementation
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For Kentucky State Police and local law enforcement agencies, HB58 creates a framework for how ALPR systems can operate moving forward.

What Does HB58 Allow Kentucky Law Enforcement Agencies To Do?

HB58 allows Kentucky law enforcement agencies to continue using ALPR technology for lawful public safety and criminal investigation purposes.

Automatic license plate readers (ALPRs) capture license plate information and vehicle details such as:

• Vehicle make
• Color
• Time and location data
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Under Kentucky’s HB58, authorized uses include:

• Regulating parking
• Controlling access to secured areas
• Promoting public safety, deterring crime, and addressing auto theft
• Law enforcement purposes
• Commercial vehicle oversight
• Transportation Cabinet purposes
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The bill establishes safeguards around how ALPR is used.

Before initiating a traffic stop based on an ALPR alert, law enforcement officers must:

• Visually confirm the license plate matches the alert
• Ensure the stop complies with agency policy
• Ensure the stop complies with applicable law
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This requirement ensures that ALPR technology supports investigations and decision-making, not automated enforcement without human review.

Agencies must adopt and make publicly available a policy governing their use of ALPR, including the list of databases used to generate alerts, rules for retention and destruction of data, training protocol, supervisory oversight, rules for access to and security of data, and an audit schedule and process. 

How Does HB58 Regulate ALPR Data Sharing in Kentucky?

HB58 establishes clear rules for ALPR data sharing in Kentucky.

Under the law, ALPR data may not be sold, shared, accessed, or transferred except: 

• to a law enforcement agency or its contractor for public safety and criminal investigations, 
• in response to a subpoena, 
• to the National Insurance Crime Bureau, 
• to a financial institution, or
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otherwise in furtherance of a specific lawful purpose under the law. As with all Flock systems:

• Customers retain ownership of their data
• Agencies control their own sharing relationships
• Access is governed locally
• Every search is logged and reviewable
• Sharing relationships can be revoked at any time
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This helps agencies maintain operational collaboration while keeping accountability built into the workflow.

What Are Kentucky’s ALPR Data Retention Rules Under HB58?

HB58 establishes statewide ALPR data retention limits in Kentucky.

Under the law:

• ALPR data generally may not be retained longer than 90 days
• Data may be retained longer only for certain lawful investigative purposes permitted under the law
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Flock’s default retention period remains 30 days.

How Does HB58 Impact ALPR Transparency and Accountability in Kentucky?

HB58 places significant emphasis on transparency, accountability, and responsible use.

Agencies using ALPR systems must adopt a written policy and make it public.  

The law also directs the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet to establish a permitting process for ALPR installations on highway rights-of-way.

This rulemaking process will help standardize the deployment of ALPR infrastructure across Kentucky.

For agencies in cities like Louisville, Lexington, and Frankfort, these requirements provide a clearer statewide framework for responsible ALPR deployment.

How Is Flock Supporting Compliance With Kentucky HB58?

Flock has consistently supported responsible regulation of ALPR technology and will help agencies comply with Kentucky’s new requirements.

Flock’s platform already includes accountability and governance mechanisms aligned with the direction of HB58, including:

Search Accountability

Every search performed in the system is:

• Logged
• Tied to a user and agency
• Reviewable by administrators

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Local Control

Agencies control:

• Their own data
• Their sharing relationships
• Their retention settings
• Their user permissions

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Auditability

Flock systems include:

• Immutable access logs
• Reviewable search histories

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Use Policy and Public Awareness

Flock encourages agencies to adopt an ALPR use policy and provides a free transparency portal that allows them to post their policy publicly, along with other information about their use of ALPR.

Policy-Aligned System Design

Flock systems are designed around:

• Accountability
• Transparency
• Reviewability
• Clear access controls
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The company will continue working with Kentucky agencies, policymakers, and stakeholders as implementation guidance develops.

Does HB58 Ban ALPR Technology in Kentucky?

No. HB58 does not ban ALPR technology in Kentucky.

The law explicitly allows ALPR systems to be used for:

• Promoting public safety
• Detering crime
• Addressing auto theft
• Regulating parking, and
• Controlling access to secured areas.
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Public agencies and law enforcement may continue using ALPR for:

• Law enforcement purposes, including criminal investigations and compliance
• Commercial vehicle permitting and credentialing enforcement, safety enforcement and monitoring, violation disputes, compliance investigations, audits, and certain research 
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The Transportation Cabinet may use ALPR for:

• Toll collection
• Road fund revenue collection
• Commercial vehicle permitting and credentialing enforcement, safety enforcement and monitoring, violation disputes, compliance investigations, audits, and certain research 
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Instead, HB58 creates statewide rules governing how ALPR technology is used responsibly.

The bill focuses on:

• Transparency
• Retention limits
• Oversight
• Accountability
• Lawful access

When Does Kentucky HB58 Take Effect?

Kentucky’s HB58 is expected to take effect on July 15, 2026.

Agencies using ALPR systems should begin reviewing:

• Data retention policies
• Sharing agreements
• Oversight procedures
• Audit processes
• Public policy requirements
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before the law takes effect.

Frequently Asked Questions About ALPR Laws in Kentucky

Is ALPR legal in Kentucky?

Yes. ALPR technology is legal in Kentucky for authorized public safety and lawful investigative purposes under HB58.

Does Kentucky require a warrant for ALPR searches?

HB58 does not establish a blanket warrant requirement for ALPR searches. Agencies must comply with applicable laws, policies, and constitutional protections.

How long can ALPR data be stored in Kentucky?

Under HB58, ALPR data generally may not be retained longer than 90 days unless retained for specific lawful investigative purposes allowed by the law.

Can ALPR data be shared across agencies in Kentucky?

Yes. Kentucky agencies may share ALPR data for lawful public safety and criminal investigation purposes as permitted under HB58.

Does HB58 ban license plate reader technology?

No. HB58 regulates how ALPR systems operate in Kentucky but does not prohibit the technology.

What is an ALPR system?

An automatic license plate reader (ALPR) system uses cameras and software to capture license plate information and vehicle characteristics to support lawful investigations and public safety operations.

Why Does Kentucky’s HB58 Matter For Public Safety And Privacy?

Kentucky’s HB58 reflects an effort to balance privacy protections with the operational realities of modern public safety work.

The law preserves the ability for agencies to:

• Collaborate across jurisdictions
• Investigate vehicle-enabled crime and missing and endangered persons
• Respond more quickly to incidents
• Use searchable vehicle evidence lawfully
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At the same time, it establishes:

• Retention limits
• Public accountability measures
• Written oversight policies
• Transparency standards
• Reviewable use requirements
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That balance matters in a category where trust, oversight, and operational effectiveness all matter at once.

Looking Ahead

As ALPR laws in Kentucky continue evolving, statewide standards like HB58 provide agencies with clear guardrails for responsible implementation.

Flock remains committed to supporting public safety agencies with technology that is transparent, reviewable, and built around local control. The company will continue collaborating with Kentucky law enforcement leaders, policymakers, and communities to help agencies comply with the law while supporting safer outcomes across the state.

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Agencies should consult their legal counsel regarding interpretation and compliance obligations under Kentucky HB58.