This bill mandates that police body-worn camera footage be subject to the right-to-know law, requiring public bodies or agencies to respond to requests for such footage within five business days. The bill amends RSA 91-A:1-a, II to include video and audio recordings created by law enforcement officers during their official duties as part of governmental proceedings. Additionally, it introduces new provisions in RSA 91-A:4, allowing public bodies to charge for the actual costs of redaction and processing requests for body-worn camera footage. It also establishes a new section, RSA 91-A:4-a, which outlines the requirements for public disclosure of body-worn camera footage, including necessary redactions to protect personal identifying information and privacy interests.

Furthermore, the bill repeals RSA 91-A:5, X, which previously exempted body-worn camera footage from disclosure, thereby enhancing transparency in law enforcement activities. The effective date for this legislation is set for January 1, 2027. The fiscal impact of the bill is significant, with estimated costs for staffing and processing requests projected to be around $484,000 in FY 2027 for the Department of Safety, along with additional costs for the Department of Corrections and local municipalities. The bill does not provide funding or authorize new positions, which may lead to increased expenditures for public agencies and potentially discourage the adoption of body-worn camera technology by local law enforcement.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 91-A:1-a, 91-A:4, 91-A:5
HB1587 text: 91-A:1-a, 91-A:4