HB5793 Summary

• Amends the Criminal Code to modify the definition of "dwelling" for eavesdropping law purposes to include houses, apartments, mobile homes, trailers, and other living quarters where owners or occupants reside or intend to reside.

• Adds exemption (s) allowing use of doorbell or intercommunication devices with audio or video capabilities installed in a dwelling with the consent of the owner or lessee.

• Modifies exemption (q) regarding law enforcement recording of conversations in investigations of qualified offenses (drug felonies and serious violent crimes) with State's Attorney approval, limited to 24 consecutive hours.

• Requires law enforcement agencies to retain recordings from in-car cameras, police vehicle systems, and taser-mounted cameras for 90 days unless part of an arrest or criminal proceeding, which extends retention until final disposition.

• Establishes annual reporting requirements for State's Attorneys beginning March 1, 2015, disclosing the number of requests and approvals for recording conversations under the qualified offense exception.