Senate Bill 1820, also known as House Bill 1718, amends Tennessee law to establish regulations regarding the use of body cameras in adult correctional facilities. The bill mandates that correctional officers utilize body cameras while on duty and in contact with inmates. It specifies that prison contractors are responsible for the costs associated with procuring body cameras, including data storage and maintenance. The Department of Correction is tasked with reviewing body camera footage for incidents that may be unlawful or abusive, ensuring that recordings are securely stored and maintained for at least one year. Additionally, the department must submit quarterly and annual reports regarding body camera data to relevant legislative committees.

The bill also introduces confidentiality provisions for body camera recordings, stating that such recordings are not open to public inspection unless they are relevant to a civil or criminal case. In these instances, recordings may be released to law enforcement or prosecuting authorities under specific conditions, with protective orders to maintain confidentiality. The new regulations will take effect on July 1, 2026, and the provisions related to body cameras will be repealed on July 1, 2027.

Statutes affected:
Amended with HA1149 -- 04/21/2026: 10-7-504(a), 10-7-504