This bill establishes a new section, 321.51, in the Florida Statutes that mandates members of the Florida Highway Patrol to wear functioning body cameras while on duty during official law enforcement activities. The body cameras must remain activated during encounters that could lead to investigations or complaints. The Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles is tasked with creating policies for the use, maintenance, and storage of these cameras, ensuring compliance with public records laws, and providing training for officers. Additionally, the department is authorized to contract with third-party vendors for secure data storage of the recordings. Officers who fail to comply with these requirements may face disciplinary action.

The bill also amends section 943.1718 to clarify the definitions of "law enforcement agency" and "law enforcement officer," explicitly stating that these terms do not include members of the Florida Highway Patrol. Furthermore, it appropriates $2 million from the General Revenue Fund for the 2026-2027 fiscal year to support the implementation of the body camera program, including the purchase, maintenance, and training associated with the cameras. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2026.