Raised Bill No. 1229 seeks to amend laws governing the use and management of recordings from police body-worn and dashboard cameras, introducing new definitions such as "Freedom of Information Act," "requesting party," "involved person," and "redact." The bill mandates that police officers must utilize body-worn recording equipment during public interactions and sets forth technical specifications for this equipment, which will be approved by relevant authorities. It also establishes guidelines for the review and public disclosure of recordings, allowing officers to review footage related to their actions before it is released, particularly in cases of force or disciplinary investigations. Importantly, the bill prohibits law enforcement from editing or altering recordings, thereby ensuring data integrity and enhancing transparency and accountability in law enforcement.

Additionally, the bill outlines new regulations regarding fees for the redaction and disclosure of records, stating that public agencies cannot charge for the time spent searching for records and waiving fees for the first four hours of labor for redaction. It establishes a maximum fee of $0.25 per page for state agencies and $0.50 per page for other public agencies, while also detailing allowable costs for computer-stored records. The bill repeals and substitutes existing language in the Freedom of Information Act concerning these fees, aiming to create a more consistent and reasonable fee structure across agencies. The act is set to take effect on October 1, 2025, and emphasizes the protection of individual privacy while promoting transparency in law enforcement practices.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill: 29-6d