Substitute House Bill No. 7073, also known as Public Act No. 25-100, amends the existing law regarding police officers' review of recordings from body-worn cameras and dashboard cameras. The bill allows police officers to review such recordings not only to assist in report preparation and performance of their duties but also if they are the subject of a disciplinary investigation and the recording is being considered as part of that investigation. The previous provisions that limited the circumstances under which an officer could review recordings have been repealed, and new language has been inserted to clarify these rights.
Additionally, the bill establishes a timeline for public disclosure of recordings. It mandates that recordings must be disclosed to the public within 48 hours after an officer reviews the recording or within 96 hours if the officer does not review it, whichever comes first. This timeline is subject to certain conditions, such as the officer's ability to review the recording due to medical or psychological responses. The bill also clarifies that if a recording captures an alleged use of force and the officer has not been asked to give a formal statement, they still have the right to review the recording before it is disclosed to the public. Overall, the bill aims to enhance transparency while ensuring that officers have the opportunity to review recordings relevant to their conduct.