Signed by Governor Mike Pence

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that limits public access to police body camera footage, effective July 1, 2016.

Highlights:

• Authorizes an individual to petition to obtain a court order to inspect or copy a “law enforcement recording,” if the individual demonstrates the following information (Sec 5):
• Access to the recording serves the public interest;
• Access to the recording does not create a significant risk of substantial harm; and
• Access to the recording does not create prejudicial effects on ongoing legal proceedings.

• Defines “law enforcement recording” as an audio or visual recording of a law enforcement activity captured by a camera or device worn by a law enforcement officer or attached to an officer’s vehicle (Sec. 2).

• Authorizes an individual depicted in a law enforcement recording to inspect the recording at least 2 times, upon submission of a written request with the following information (Secs. 2 & 4):
• The date, time, and location of the recording; and
• The name of 1 individual, other than a law enforcement officer, who was involved.

• Specifies that if an individual depicted in a law enforcement recording is deceased, an immediate family member or representing attorney is authorized to submit the request (Sec. 4).

• Requires certain items to be obscured if a court grants a petition for a law enforcement recording, including, but not limited to, the following items (Sec. 5):
• Depictions of an individual’s death;
• Depictions of nudity; and
• Depictions of a home’s interior that belongs to the depicted individual.

• Requires a public agency to retain an unaltered, unobscured law enforcement recording for at least 180 days after the date of the recording (Sec. 6).

Full Bill Text