Protecting Everyone from Excessive Police Surveillance (PEEPS) Act

HB 4628, the PEEPS Act, requires West Virginia law enforcement agencies to obtain a warrant before accessing historical location data (such as license plate records, cell tower logs, or traffic camera footage) about people or vehicles. Exceptions include when a vehicle owner reports a theft, for traffic enforcement, toll collection, or in immediate emergencies where a warrant cannot be secured. The bill mandates that agencies encrypt this data, prohibit sharing or selling it to private companies, and maintain detailed records of all access requests with supervisor approval. This law directly affects police departments and government entities that collect location information, aiming to limit unwarranted surveillance while allowing specific public safety uses.