Senate Bill No. 973 seeks to amend the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) concerning the disclosure of records from police body-worn cameras and dashboard cameras. The bill introduces new definitions such as "requesting party," "involved person," and "redact," clarifying the roles of individuals in recorded incidents. It mandates that police officers must use body-worn cameras during public interactions and requires dashboard cameras in police vehicles. The bill prohibits law enforcement from editing or altering recordings and allows officers to review recordings related to their actions before public disclosure. Recordings must be made available to the public within ninety-six hours of a request, with specific exemptions for certain sensitive recordings. The bill also repeals the previous definition of FOIA and introduces new provisions for redacting sensitive information.

Additionally, SB973 establishes training requirements for police officers on the use of recording equipment and mandates compliance reporting by law enforcement units. It allows public agencies to charge fees for redaction beyond the first four hours of labor, with a maximum fee of $100 per hour, while exempting certain individuals from these charges. The bill sets a fee structure for copies of public records and requires agencies to maintain unredacted copies of records that are redacted for public dissemination. It also includes provisions for waiving fees for specific groups and is set to take effect on October 1, 2025. Overall, the bill aims to enhance transparency in law enforcement while protecting sensitive information and the rights of involved individuals.

Statutes affected:
Committee Bill: 29-6d
GOS Joint Favorable: 29-6d
File No. 77: 29-6d