Bill > H1475

This bill creates new privacy protections for body camera recordings made by code inspectors (government employees who verify compliance with local building, health, and safety regulations). The bill defines a body camera as a wearable device that records audio and video during official duties and establishes specific circumstances where these recordings are confidential and exempt from public records disclosure. Specifically, recordings made inside private residences, healthcare facilities, or places where a reasonable person would expect privacy are considered confidential. However, these recordings can still be disclosed in certain situations: for official government purposes, to the person recorded (or their personal representative), pursuant to a court order, or to another government agency. The bill requires local governments to retain body camera recordings for at least 90 days and includes provisions for how a court should evaluate requests for disclosure, considering factors like potential harm to personal reputation, the necessity of disclosure, and privacy interests. The exemption applies retroactively and is subject to legislative review, with the provision set to automatically expire on October 2, 2030, unless the Legislature specifically votes to continue it. The bill's rationale is that while body cameras can help document code inspections, they may also capture highly sensitive personal information that should be protected from unnecessary public exposure.

Government Affairs

https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2025/1475