INDIANAPOLIS — A bill sponsored by State Sen. Rodric Bray (R-Martinsville) concerning police body camera recordings was approved by the Senate this week.
House Bill 1019 outlines which recordings would be accessible to the public while providing guidance to law enforcement agencies for how long they would be required to store videos. The bill would also place the burden of proof on a law enforcement agency to allow for more openness and transparency.
“House Bill 1019 balances law enforcement interests, the public’s right to know and privacy rights of the individuals depicted in these videos,” Bray said. “This bill is a much-needed update to our laws to keep pace with this new technology, and I look forward to further discussion on the issue.”
HB 1019 allows law enforcement to obscure items in the videos like personal medical information and undercover officers or confidential informants. Law enforcement agencies could also deny release of the video if it would impact an ongoing investigation.
The bill will now move back to the House of Representatives for further consideration.
