Legislative Tracker: Encryption Bills by State
Only one state has passed legislation requiring transparency in police radio encryption. Track active bills, learn from past failures, and find out how to support legislation in your state.
2026 Legislative Overview
Passed Legislation
Laws that have been signed and enacted
Colorado: Media Access to Encrypted Police Radio
First statewide law requiring police departments with encrypted radio to create media access policies.
Rep. Kevin Van Winkle (R)
Grand County honored the law when it encrypted in May 2026, providing Sky-Hi News a dedicated newsroom radio. Boulder PD completed its own encryption in late October 2025 but offered access only under a usage contract with violation penalties, which the Daily Camera declined; Denver and Aurora still have not reached media access agreements. The law has no enforcement mechanism.
Why Colorado matters
Colorado's HB21-1250 is the first and only statewide law requiring police departments to create media access policies when they encrypt. While implementation has faced challenges, it provides a legislative blueprint for other states.
Learn from Colorado's SuccessActive Bills
Legislation currently under consideration - your support needed
California: Law Enforcement Communications Transparency Act
Would require encrypted agencies to provide media access to real-time radio communications. Introduced after earlier SB 1000 died in committee (2022).
Sen. Josh Becker (D-San Mateo)
Supported by California News Publishers Association; faced opposition from police unions; no active equivalent bill confirmed in 2025-2026 session
New York: Police Radio Transparency Act
A retooled successor to the bill Hochul vetoed in December 2025. Grants real-time encrypted-radio access to journalists meeting the state Shield Law definition, requires the receiving outlet to carry liability/libel insurance, and requires freelancers to work through an accredited outlet. NYPD is explicitly excluded — it is governed separately by NYC Local Law 46.
Assemblymember Karines Reyes / Sen. Michael Gianaris
Passed the Assembly 82-58 (June 3, 2026) and the Senate 37-23 (June 4, 2026). As of September 2026 it has been delivered to Governor Hochul with no signature or veto recorded yet.
Illinois: LOCAL RECORDS-POLICE SCANNERS (HB3719)
Would require a law enforcement agency that encrypts police scanner transmissions to provide real-time access to those transmissions, by license or otherwise, to broadcast stations and newspapers. Sponsored by Rep. La Shawn K. Ford.
Stalled: last recorded action was March 21, 2025 (re-referred to Rules Committee under Rule 19(a)), with no committee hearing or floor vote since — verify current status at ilga.gov before citing this as a live legislative fight.
Texas: First Responder Communications Transparency
Would establish transparency requirements for encrypted county-wide radio systems.
Focus on rural county sheriff accountability
Failed & Vetoed Bills
Learn from past attempts to improve future efforts
New York: Police Radio Media Access Act
Would have required encrypted agencies to provide media access. Vetoed by Governor Hochul.
Sen. Brad Hoylman-Sigal (D)
Governor cited "officer safety" despite no evidence
Colorado: Unencrypted Dispatch Communications
First attempt to require unencrypted dispatch. Died in committee.
Preceded successful HB21-1250 by 3 years
Colorado: Media Access to Dispatch Channels
Second attempt at Colorado transparency legislation. Failed again.
Led to successful strategy change in 2021
Massachusetts: Public Safety Communications Transparency
Would have required Boston and state police to maintain public dispatch access.
Opposed by police unions
Key lessons from failed bills
- Persistence pays off: Colorado failed three times before succeeding. Keep trying.
- Attach to larger reform: Colorado succeeded by adding encryption provisions to broader police accountability legislation.
- Build bipartisan coalitions: Media access isn't partisan. Find Republican and Democratic champions.
- Counter "officer safety" claims: Have evidence ready showing zero documented scanner-related officer harm.
- Include enforcement teeth: Vague mandates without penalties get ignored.
State-by-State Tracker
Legislative status in all 50 states
| State | Legislative Status | Notes | Action |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | No legislation | No active bills | Legislation Needed |
| Alaska | No legislation | Most agencies still open | Watch |
| Arizona | No legislation | Phoenix metro fully encrypted | Legislation Needed |
| Arkansas | No legislation | Mixed encryption status | Watch |
| California | SB 719 active | Strong coalition support | Support Active Bill |
| Colorado | HB21-1250 passed | Implementation ongoing | Monitor Implementation |
| Connecticut | No legislation | State police encrypted | Legislation Needed |
| Delaware | No legislation | Small state, limited coverage | Watch |
| Florida | No legislation | Strong sunshine laws exist | Watch |
| Georgia | No legislation | Atlanta encrypted | Legislation Needed |
| Hawaii | No legislation | HPD encrypted | Watch |
| Idaho | No legislation | Most agencies open | Watch |
| Illinois | HB 3719 active | HB3719 (LOCAL RECORDS-POLICE SCANNERS, Rep. La Shawn K. Ford) would require agencies that encrypt to provide real-time access to broadcasters and newspapers; Galesburg and Knox County encrypted June 2026 | Support Active Bill |
| Indiana | No legislation | Indianapolis still open | Watch |
| Iowa | No legislation | Mixed status | Watch |
| Kansas | No legislation | Wichita and 17 Sedgwick County agencies encrypted April 28, 2026 under CJIS mandate; no state transparency law | Legislation Needed |
| Kentucky | No legislation | Louisville encrypted | Legislation Needed |
| Louisiana | No legislation | New Orleans encrypted | Legislation Needed |
| Maine | No legislation | Most agencies open | Watch |
| Maryland | No legislation | Montgomery County (1M+ residents) fully encrypted late 2025; Anne Arundel P25 upgrade adds encryption capability; no state press-access law | Legislation Needed |
| Massachusetts | Previous bill failed | Boston encrypted 2025 | Legislation Needed |
| Michigan | No legislation | Detroit vs Grand Rapids | Legislation Needed |
| Minnesota | No legislation | Minneapolis encrypted | Legislation Needed |
| Mississippi | No legislation | Limited coverage | Watch |
| Missouri | No legislation | KC and STL encrypted | Legislation Needed |
| Montana | No legislation | Most agencies open | Watch |
| Nebraska | No legislation | Omaha partially encrypted | Watch |
| Nevada | No legislation | Las Vegas encrypted | Legislation Needed |
| New Hampshire | No legislation | State police encrypted | Watch |
| New Jersey | No legislation | NJICS system expanding | Legislation Needed |
| New Mexico | No legislation | Albuquerque status unclear | Watch |
| New York | Successor bill passed, awaiting signature | Keep Police Radio Public Act vetoed by Hochul Dec 19, 2025; retooled Police Radio Transparency Act (A11199A/S10079) passed both chambers June 2026, not yet signed as of Sept 2026 | Support Active Bill |
| North Carolina | No legislation | Charlotte encrypted | Legislation Needed |
| North Dakota | No legislation | Most agencies open | Watch |
| Ohio | No legislation | Cleveland consent decree | Legislation Needed |
| Oklahoma | No legislation | OKC encrypted | Legislation Needed |
| Oregon | No legislation | Portland encrypted | Legislation Needed |
| Pennsylvania | No legislation | Philadelphia encrypted | Legislation Needed |
| Rhode Island | No legislation | Providence encrypted | Watch |
| South Carolina | No legislation | Charleston encrypted | Watch |
| South Dakota | No legislation | Most agencies open | Watch |
| Tennessee | No legislation | Nashville encrypted | Legislation Needed |
| Texas | SB 892 active | Focus on county systems | Support Active Bill |
| Utah | No legislation | Salt Lake encrypted | Watch |
| Vermont | No legislation | Most agencies open | Watch |
| Virginia | No legislation | Fairfax encrypted | Legislation Needed |
| Washington | No legislation | PSERN wave encrypting King and Skagit counties through mid-2026; Seattle keeps dispatch open but tactical encrypted | Legislation Needed |
| West Virginia | No legislation | Mixed status | Watch |
| Wisconsin | No legislation | Milwaukee first to encrypt | Legislation Needed |
| Wyoming | No legislation | Most agencies open | Watch |
How to Track Bills in Your State
Monitor legislation and get alerts
Find your state legislature
Every state has a legislative website where you can search for bills. Start at your state's official .gov website and navigate to the legislature section.
Search for keywords
Search bill databases for: "police radio," "public safety communications," "encryption," "scanner access," "media access," and "press freedom."
Set up alerts
Most state legislature sites allow you to "track" or "follow" bills. Sign up for email alerts when bills move through committee or come to a vote.
Use tracking services
Services like LegiScan, OpenStates, and state-specific civic engagement platforms aggregate bill information and provide notification tools.
Contact sponsors
When you find relevant bills, reach out to sponsors and co-sponsors. Offer to testify in committee hearings or provide constituent support letters.
Join press coalitions
State press associations and media coalitions often track encryption legislation. Join their mailing lists for updates and coordinated action.
How to Support Legislation
Actions you can take to help bills pass
Contact your legislators
Call, email, or write your state representatives and senators. Personal constituent contact is the most effective advocacy. Reference specific bill numbers.
Lobbying GuideTestify at hearings
Committee hearings are critical. Sign up to testify in favor of transparency bills. Even 2 minutes of testimony makes a difference.
Testimony ScriptsWrite op-eds
Submit letters to the editor and op-eds to local newspapers when encryption bills are being considered. Media coverage influences legislators.
Op-Ed TemplatesBuild coalitions
Connect journalists, civil liberties groups, fire/EMS leaders, and community organizations. Coalitions demonstrate broad support.
Coalition PlaybookShare on social media
Use social platforms to raise awareness about active bills. Tag your legislators and use state-specific hashtags.
Social Media GuideDraft new legislation
If your state has no active bills, work with legislators to introduce new transparency legislation using model language.
Model LegislationState Action Guides
Detailed guides for specific states
Looking for your state? Check the Activist Playbook for general guidance that applies to any state, or use our Model Legislation templates to start your own campaign.
Stay Updated on Legislative Changes
This tracker is updated regularly as bills advance, fail, or new legislation is introduced. Bookmark this page and check back for the latest developments.
Check back regularly
We update this tracker as legislative sessions progress and new bills are introduced.
Follow state press associations
Your state's press association often leads transparency advocacy efforts and tracks relevant legislation.
Join local coalitions
Connect with scanner enthusiast groups, journalist coalitions, and civil liberties organizations in your state.
Ready to Make a Difference?
Every successful transparency law started with citizens who decided to take action. Use these resources to support existing bills or start a campaign in your state.