Bill > S08435

This bill, known as the "safekeeping and access to video evidence (SAVE) act," requires local governments in New York to retain security camera recordings for a minimum of fifteen months under specific circumstances. For public security cameras in spaces like streets, subways, parks, government buildings, and other public areas, local governments must preserve video recordings for at least fifteen months without erasing or overwriting them. Similarly, cameras recording interactions between public officials and citizens in contexts like police, fire, or healthcare services must also be retained for the same period. If a legal claim is pending against a local government, the recordings must be kept until the litigation concludes or fifteen months have passed, whichever is later. The bill mandates that these recordings be stored securely to prevent unauthorized access or tampering and be accessible to officials responsible for public information requests. Importantly, the bill does not require municipalities to install security cameras, does not prevent retention beyond the fifteen-month period, and does not override existing laws about recording access. The term "local government" is broadly defined to include counties, cities, towns, villages, school districts, and various public authorities within New York State. The act will take effect thirty days after becoming law.

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S8435