This bill mandates that law enforcement agencies preserve and disclose body-worn camera recordings related to specific motor vehicle stops upon request. It amends RSA 105-D:2, XVII by adding new provisions that require recordings to be retained until the conclusion of a case, including any appeals, if a person pleads not guilty to a violation-level offense following a motor vehicle stop. Additionally, the law enforcement agency must provide the defendant with the recording within five days of a request. If the agency fails to preserve or disclose the recording as required, the violation will be dismissed with prejudice.

The bill also includes a provision allowing the chief law enforcement officer to designate recordings as training tools, provided that any identifiable images or license plate numbers are obscured or the individual has the opportunity to decline. The language that was deleted from the current law includes a clause that previously allowed for the retention of recordings only as long as legally required, which is now supplemented by the new requirements for specific cases. The act is set to take effect 90 days after its passage, with an estimated fiscal impact of under $10,000 per year for the state to comply with the new requirements.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 105-D:2