Bill
Bill > A5631
NJ A5631
NJ A5631Exempts law enforcement body worn camera recordings from disclosure under State's open public records law under certain circumstances.
summary
Introduced
10/15/2026
10/15/2026
In Committee
10/15/2026
10/15/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2026-2027 Regular Session
Bill Summary
This bill exempts law enforcement body worn camera recordings from disclosure under the State's open public records act (OPRA) if the recording was requested for a commercial purpose. Under current law, "commercial purpose" is defined as the direct or indirect use of any part of a government record for sale, resale, solicitation, rent, or lease of a service or any use by which the user expects a profit either through commission, salary, or fee. In addition to certain other exceptions, "commercial purpose" does not include the use of a government record for any purpose by the news media, or any parent company, subsidiary, or affiliate of any news media, as defined under current law or any news, journalistic, educational, scientific, scholarly, or governmental organization.
AI Summary
This bill exempts video recordings captured by law enforcement officers using body worn cameras (mobile video recording systems worn by officers) from public disclosure under the State's open public records act, known as OPRA, if the footage is requested for a commercial purpose. Under the law, a "commercial purpose" is broadly defined as using government records for sale, resale, solicitation, renting, leasing, or any activity where the requester expects to make a profit through a fee, salary, or commission, though existing exemptions that protect the news media, educational organizations, labor unions, and non-profits from this definition still apply.
Committee Categories
Military Affairs and Security
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Introduced, Referred to Assembly Public Safety and Preparedness Committee (on 10/15/2026)
Bill Topics
Government Operations
- ‐ Government Transparency and Open Records
Law, Crime, and Family Issues
- ‐ Police, Fire, and Law Enforcement
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location | Created |
|---|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2026/A5631 | 10/05/2026 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2026/A6000/5631_I1.HTM | 10/16/2026 |
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