AI Frontier Institute

Law enforcement; artificial intelligence inventory, civil action.

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Virginia House Bill 1295 (2026 Session), introduced January 15, 2026 by Patron Clark, would add Section 9.1-116.11 to the Code of Virginia, requiring all state and local law-enforcement agencies and sheriff's departments to conduct an annual inventory of any 'covered AI system' they use and publish that inventory publicly by November 1 each year. A 'covered AI system' is defined broadly to include AI tools that aid law-enforcement investigations, such as biometric identification, forensic DNA phenotyping, forensic investigative genetic genealogy, cross-camera tracking, vehicle surveillance, automated license plate readers, gunshot detection, predictive policing, risk scoring, behavioral analysis, sentiment analysis, social media analysis, and others. Systems used only for administrative tasks with no material impact on investigations—such as productivity tools or grammar-checking AI—are excluded. Each published inventory must identify the system's vendor and product name, describe its capabilities and limitations, describe data inputs and outputs, and describe authorized and unauthorized uses. The Attorney General may investigate and bring a civil action for equitable or declaratory relief against non-compliant agencies. Additionally, any resident within a covered agency's jurisdiction may file a civil action for equitable or declaratory relief, and a prevailing plaintiff is entitled to reasonable attorney fees and costs. Before filing suit, a plaintiff must provide written notice of the alleged violation to the agency at least 90 days in advance to allow an opportunity to cure.

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