The bill amends section 39.301 of the Florida Statutes to mandate that interviews conducted during protective investigations be audio or video recorded, utilizing body cameras or other reasonable recording methods. There are exceptions to this requirement, including instances where recording equipment malfunctions or is unavailable due to unforeseen circumstances. Additionally, individuals charged with certain criminal offenses related to child abuse or neglect are not permitted to object to an investigator's failure to record an interview, and such failures do not prevent the admissibility of statements made during the interview in legal proceedings.

Furthermore, the bill stipulates that any recordings made under this provision must be retained for a minimum of five years. The effective date for this legislation is set for July 1, 2026.