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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to a law enforcement policy regarding body worn cameras. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 1701.655(b), Occupations Code, is |
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amended to read as follows: |
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(b) A policy described by Subsection (a) must ensure that a |
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body worn camera is activated only for a law enforcement purpose and |
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must include: |
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(1) guidelines for when a peace officer should |
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activate a camera or discontinue a recording currently in progress, |
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considering the need for privacy in certain situations and at |
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certain locations; |
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(2) provisions relating to data retention, including a |
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provision requiring the retention of video for a minimum period of |
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90 days; |
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(3) provisions relating to storage of video and audio, |
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creation of backup copies of the video and audio, and maintenance of |
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data security; |
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(4) guidelines for public access, through open records |
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requests, to recordings that are public information; |
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(5) [provisions entitling an officer to access any
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recording of an incident involving the officer before the officer
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is required to make a statement about the incident;
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[(6)] procedures for supervisory or internal review; |
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and |
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(6) [(7)] the handling and documenting of equipment |
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and malfunctions of equipment. |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2019. |