Bray-sponsored body camera bill passes

Thursday, February 25, 2016

INDIANAPOLIS -- A bill concerning police body camera recordings, sponsored by District 37 State Sen. Rodric Bray (R-Martinsville), passed out of the Senate Committee on Judiciary Wednesday by a vote of 7-1.

House Bill 1019 dictates under what circumstances these videos are accessible to the public.

It also provides guidance to law enforcement agencies for how long they are required to store these videos.

The bill was amended during the Senate committee hearing, switching the burden of proof to the law enforcement agency to allow for more openness and transparency.

"This bill balances the interests of law enforcement, the privacy rights of those who may be seen on these video recordings, and the need for transparency," Bray said. "We need to update our laws to keep pace with technology so I am very pleased this bill is moving forward."

HB 1019 does provide provisions for law enforcement to obscure information such as personal medical information, if an undercover officer or confidential informant is in the video or if releasing the video impacts an ongoing investigation.

Bray noted there is an appeal process if the law enforcement agency does decide to not release a video, which would require a judge to issue a decision within 30 days of a complaint.

The bill now heads to the full Senate for further consideration.

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