Attorney General Jackley Seeks Legislative Safeguards For Law Enforcement Use of License Plate Readers

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2026

Contact: Tony Mangan, Communications Director, 605-773-6878   

PIERRE, S.D. -- South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley announces plans to propose legislation to ensure that License Plate Reader (LPR) technology is used solely for legitimate law enforcement purposes with strong protections for the public’s privacy.

“I look forward to working with legislators and law enforcement over the coming days to strike the right balance between giving law enforcement the tools needed to protect the public and the privacy of the people we serve,” said Attorney General Jackley.  “Limiting LPR use to legitimate investigative purposes and requiring the destruction of data within an established period of time ensures that this technology enhances public safety without compromising individual rights.”

LPRs have proven valuable in helping investigators solve serious crimes and for public safety, however, their use must be balanced with clear, responsible limits. Law enforcement has used the readers, with the approval of local authorities, in several major investigations. Among the notable investigations were the recovery a 9‑year‑old girl abducted in Clark County in 2023, and in the investigation into the disappearance and death of 14-year-old McKenna Wendel.

The goal of this legislation is to ensure LPR data may only be collected, accessed, or used for legitimate law enforcement investigations into criminal activity. To further protect individual privacy, any information gathered through LPR technology must be protected and deleted within an established period of time unless it is directly relevant to an ongoing criminal investigation.

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