If the video footage from the Tyre Nichols beating in Memphis tells us anything, it’s that we need to keep protecting the tools that allow public accountability for corruption.
A stealth caption bill that seeks to lock down citizen access to police body cam and dashcam footage has emerged late in session and will be heard in two key committees on Wednesday. The bill allows a law enforcement agency to delete most body cam and dashcam footage after 30 days and prevents local restrictions on police surveillance, such as facial recognition systems and drones. The bill, as revised, would be a dramatic step away from transparency, allowing police complete discretion over how it handles body camera footage and what is released and not released, even to the citizens directly affected in a police confrontation.
Body camera footage inside hospitals and schools would be exempt under the legislation. Legislation that would exempt some body camera footage from the Tennessee Public Records Act is headed to the governor's desk for signature. The House and the Senate passed legislation that would make confidential footage shot inside health care facilities, schools, and inside homes in some instances. Here is what the bill lists as exempt: (1) Video taken by a law enforcement body camera that depicts the following shall be treated as confidential and not subject to public inspection: (A) Minors, when taken within a school that serves any grades from kindergarten through grade twelve (K-12); [...]
UPDATE, 3-17-17: The Senate passed Johnson's body cam bill, S.B. 442, on Thursday 27-0. ----- Original story: A bill that would exempt from the state's public records laws police body camera footage collected inside schools, hospitals and, when no crime is being investigated, private residences passed the Senate State & Local Government committee Tuesday. State Sen. Jack Johnson, R-Franklin Two amendments were added to the legislation carried by state Sen. Jack Johnson, R-Franklin. One specifies that "video taken of minors in a school that serves any grades from kindergarten through grade twelve shall be treated as confidential." The other, suggested by Lt. Gov Randy McNally, R-Oak Ridge, puts a [...]
Lawmakers have filed dozens of bill this year that could affect a citizen’s ability to get information about their local and state government. While it’s still early, here is a list of bills to watch. Economic development records HB 947 / SB 1179 - State Rep. Sam Whitson, R-Franklin / State Sen. Joey Hensley, R-Hohenwald - Makes confidential county and municipal records related to economic development. Part of this bill would make confidential any county or city economic development contracts, agreements and related records until after a contract is entered into. The other part of the bill allows a county or municipality to keep any documents confidential after a contract [...]
