The Senate Judiciary Committee heard HB 1019 sponsored by Sen. Bray on law enforcement recordings. The bill restricts public access to law enforcement recordings made by body cameras or cameras attached to the vehicle or transportation of a law enforcement officer under IC 5-14-3. The introduced version of this bill was prepared by the Interim Study Committee on Government. Author Rep. Mahan introduced the bill, explaining that the bill strikes a balance between public access to government records and individual privacy rights. The bill establishes enhanced access to law enforcement recordings by a person depicted in the recording or an individual with certain relationships to a person depicted in the recording as well as establishes the minimum records retention period of these recordings. Sen. Steele introduced an amendment to: (1) exempt custodial interrogations from the definition of law enforcement recordings, (2) amend the definition of an individual with enhanced access to law enforcement recordings, (3) establish an expedited procedure for a member of the public to challenge an agency’s denial of access to a recording in court, and (4) lengthen the retention period for recordings.
Representatives from the Hoosier State Press Association, Indiana Sheriffs’ Association, Indiana Broadcasters Association and the Indiana Association of Chiefs of Police testified in support of the amendment. A member of the public testified in opposition to the bill. The bill was held for further discussion.
Read the bill at https://iga.in.gov/legislative/2016/bills/house/1019