(a)The limit line, the intersection, or a place designated in Section 21455 where a driver is required to stop, may be equipped with an automated traffic enforcement system if the governmental agency utilizing the system meets all of the following requirements:

(1)Identifies the system by signs that clearly indicate the system’s presence and are visible to traffic approaching from all directions, or posts signs at all major entrances to the city, including, at a minimum, freeways, bridges, and state highway routes.

(2)Ensures that the system meets the criteria specified in Section 21455.7 if it locates the system at an intersection.

(b)Prior to issuing citations under this section, a local jurisdiction utilizing an automated traffic enforcement system shall commence a program to issue only warning notices for 30 days. The local jurisdiction shall also make a public announcement of the automated traffic enforcement system at least 30 days prior to the commencement of the enforcement program.

(c)Only a governmental agency, in cooperation with a law enforcement agency, may operate an automated traffic enforcement system. As used in this subdivision, “operate” includes all of the following activities:

(1)Developing uniform guidelines for screening and issuing violations and for the processing and storage of confidential information, and establishing procedures to ensure compliance with those guidelines.

(2)Performing administrative functions and day-to-day functions, including, but not limited to, all of the following:

(A)Establishing guidelines for selection of location.

(B)Ensuring that the equipment is regularly inspected.

(C)Certifying that the equipment is properly installed and calibrated, and is operating properly.

(D)Regularly inspecting and maintaining warning signs placed under paragraph (1) of subdivision (a).

(E)Overseeing the establishment or change of signal phases and the timing of those signal phases.

(F)Maintaining controls necessary to ensure that only those citations that have been reviewed and approved by law enforcement are delivered to violators.

(d)The activities listed in subdivision (c) that relate to the operation of the system may be contracted out by the governmental agency, if it maintains overall control and supervision of the system. However, the activities listed in paragraph (1) of, and subparagraphs (A), (D), (E), and (F) of paragraph (2) of, subdivision (c) may not be contracted out to the manufacturer or supplier of the automated traffic enforcement system.

(e)(1)Notwithstanding Section 6253 of the Government Code, or any other provision of law, photographic records made by an automated traffic enforcement system shall be confidential, and shall be made available only to governmental agencies and law enforcement agencies and only for the purposes of this article.

(2)Confidential information obtained from the Department of Motor Vehicles for the administration or enforcement of this article shall be held confidential and shall not be used for any other purpose.

(3)Except for court records described in Section 68152 of the Government Code, the confidential records and information described in paragraphs (1) and (2) may be retained for up to six months from the date the information was first obtained, or until final disposition of the citation, whichever date is later, after which time the information shall be destroyed in a manner that will preserve the confidentiality of any person included in the record or information.

(f)Notwithstanding subdivision (d), the registered owner or any individual identified by the registered owner as the driver of the vehicle at the time of the alleged violation shall be permitted to review the photographic evidence of the alleged violation.

(g)(1)A contract between a governmental agency and a manufacturer or supplier of automated traffic enforcement equipment may not include provision for the payment or compensation to the manufacturer or supplier based on the number of citations generated, or as a percentage of the revenue generated, as a result of the use of the equipment authorized under this section.

(2)Paragraph (1) does not apply to a contract that was entered into by a governmental agency and a manufacturer or supplier of automated traffic enforcement equipment before January 1, 2004, unless that contract is renewed, extended, or amended on or after January 1, 2004.