The proposed bill, titled "The Willie Washington, Jr. Act," introduces Chapter 56.4 to Title 42 of the General Laws, establishing the Body Cameras for Correctional Facilities Act. This legislation mandates that all correctional staff assigned to direct supervision roles wear body cameras while on duty within their assigned facilities. The cameras must be activated during specific interactions with incarcerated individuals, including use of force incidents, transporting individuals, medical emergencies, and disciplinary proceedings. The recordings are required to be retained for a minimum of sixty days, after which they shall be securely deleted unless required for an ongoing investigation or legal proceeding. Access to the recordings is strictly limited to authorized personnel, and incarcerated individuals will be informed about the use of body cameras and have the right to request review of footage that directly involves them under appropriate circumstances.

Additionally, the bill establishes an independent incident oversight board (IIOB) to oversee the review of recorded incidents involving use of force, complaints against staff, or other critical incidents involving incarcerated individuals. The IIOB will consist of members appointed by key stakeholders, including representatives from civil rights organizations, legal experts, mental health professionals, formerly incarcerated individuals, and community leaders. The IIOB is tasked with investigating complaints, conducting periodic assessments and audits of facility operations, and providing recommendations for improvements to the Department of Corrections.

The Department of Corrections is required to provide biannual reports to the General Assembly detailing the number of incidents recorded, access requests made by incarcerated individuals, and incidents reviewed by the incident review board. Comprehensive training on the proper use of body cameras, data privacy, and the importance of maintaining the dignity and rights of incarcerated individuals shall be provided to all staff. Any staff who fail to comply with body camera policies established in this chapter may face disciplinary actions, including termination of employment and potential civil liabilities. The Department of Corrections must implement and establish the necessary protocols and training programs within six months after the effective date of this chapter.