HI HB149

Requires law enforcement officers to wear and use body-worn video cameras while on duty in accordance with departmental directives, positioned to maximize capture of officer activities.

Mandates law enforcement agencies establish policies specifying when cameras activate/deactivate, data retention periods, supervisory review procedures (excluding searches for policy violations unrelated to complaints or investigations), and equipment malfunction documentation.

Exempts recordings from public disclosure when made in private spaces, situations risking confidential informant safety, sensitive victim circumstances (sexual assault, rape), healthcare facility patient areas, or during tactical planning and peer discussions.

Prohibits deletion or destruction of recordings involving deadly force or administrative/criminal officer investigations until all criminal matters are finalized and investigations concluded, unless agency releases footage to serve a law enforcement purpose.

Requires public records requesters to provide date, time, location, and subject names when seeking body-worn camera footage; establishes a fee structure to cover review and production costs with waiver options for public interest, and allows 21 business days for voluminous requests involving five or more incidents.