Morgantown WV proposed face surveillance/ALPR ordinance
Morgantown, WV — Proposed Ordinance Banning Face Surveillance and ALPR Cameras on City Property and Requiring Council Approval of Other Surveillance Technology (First Reading Held Without Action, Oct. 6, 2026)
Morgantown, WV · Morgantown, WV, proposed surveillance systems ordinance (Arts. 116-117; first reading tabled Oct. 6, 2026)
- Status
- Proposed / pending
- Applies to
- City of Morgantown, WV departments and anyone installing devices on city property
- Enforced by
- Morgantown City Council
Morgantown, West Virginia is considering an ordinance that would bar face surveillance cameras and automated license plate reader cameras on city property, and require City Council approval, with use policies and annual reports, before the city uses other surveillance technology. The council discussed it at first reading on Oct. 6, 2026 but took no action so members can refine the language.
Who is protected: Morgantown, WV residents
Legal detail
City of Morgantown (WV) proposed ordinance amending City Code Article 115 (city property) and creating Article 116 'Face Surveillance Systems' and Article 117 'Surveillance Technology'. The city would not install, or allow others to install or maintain, recording devices on city property that engage in face surveillance; same prohibition for ALPR cameras. Other surveillance technology subject to council approval, data collection/retention/access/purging rules, annual departmental reports; existing uses must seek council approval within one year of passage (Dominion Post). Does not govern private property or other agencies' property including state roads (WBOY). First reading tabled Tuesday Oct. 6, 2026; Councilor Abu-Ghannam: 'I would still like to see this in October 20th for the first reading, if possible' (WAJR).
Key facts
| Jurisdiction | Morgantown, WV |
|---|---|
| Level | City / local |
| Citation | Morgantown, WV, proposed surveillance systems ordinance (Arts. 116-117; first reading tabled Oct. 6, 2026) |
| Private right of action | No, agency enforcement only |
| Topics | facial recognition · police and surveillance AI · consumer data privacy · data retention · government use of AI |
| News report | Morgantown Council weighing rules on 'surveillance systems' — The Dominion Post (Oct. 7, 2026) |
Related facial recognition rules elsewhere
- Virginia § 15.2-1723.2 (facial recognition by local law enforcement, eff. July 1, 2026) · In effect
- Bristol VA PD facial recognition program (first VA local agency) · In effect
- Dallas PD Clearview AI facial recognition policy · In effect
- Ban biometric recognition in public accommodations (Ban The Scan) · Proposed / pending
- Limit facial recognition in residential buildings (Ban The Scan) · Proposed / pending
- Texas v. Google · In effect
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