Bill > SB5732

This bill establishes regulations for the use of "law enforcement oversight recorders," which are devices that capture and store video, audio, or both, mounted in police vehicles or worn by officers, to improve oversight of law enforcement conduct while protecting privacy. It defines key terms like "flag" (to mark a recording for potential oversight use), "redact" (to obscure identities in recordings), and "use of force" (any physical coercion by an officer). The bill mandates that these recorders continuously record while officers are on duty, with exceptions for restroom breaks or scheduled breaks not related to law enforcement activity. Officers must inform individuals when they are being recorded, unless exigent circumstances prevent it. Recordings are primarily for investigating potential misconduct and are restricted to supervisors, internal investigators, and prosecutors, with limited use in court proceedings unless related to misconduct. Recordings can be "flagged" if they involve use of force, a complaint is filed, or a subject requests it, and flagged recordings are retained for three years or longer if an investigation is ongoing, while unflagged recordings are kept for 60-75 days. Flagged recordings are subject to public disclosure, while unflagged recordings are confidential unless all subjects consent to disclosure. The bill also requires independent biennial audits of the recorder programs and amends existing laws to ensure these new recording provisions are integrated.