Iowa Code Title VIII. Transportation [Chs. 306-330B] § 321P.4. Automatic registration plate readers--data retention limited--penalty

1. The operator of an automatic registration plate reader or any associated data storage device shall permanently delete from the plate reader and storage device, as applicable, every image of a vehicle registration plate captured by the plate reader, and any other accompanying data, no later than thirty days after the image was captured.

2. Prior to deletion under subsection 1, an image of a vehicle registration plate captured by an automatic registration plate reader, and any other accompanying data, may be copied and stored by a law enforcement agency if the image and data are relevant to an ongoing criminal case or investigation.  The law enforcement agency shall maintain the copied registration plate image and accompanying data in accordance with the agency's evidence retention policies.  Copies maintained by the law enforcement agency are not subject to subsection 1.

3. For purposes of this section, “automatic registration plate reader” or “plate reader” means a camera or other optical device designed or programmed to automatically detect a vehicle's registration plate, or to automatically capture or store an image of a vehicle's registration plate and any accompanying data.

4. A person who violates subsection 1 commits a simple misdemeanor.