HB5133 Summary

• Law enforcement agencies must publicly release names and body camera recordings within 5 business days of officer-involved deaths or use of force likely to cause death or great bodily harm.

• Agencies must publicly release names and recordings of all officers involved in officer-involved deaths since January 1, 2014.

• Agencies may release other body camera recordings on a case-by-case basis in matters of significant public interest after consulting with the police chief and Attorney General.

• Release of recordings can be blocked if the decedent's next of kin (for deaths) or the affected individual/their next of kin (for force incidents) orally or in writing refuse consent; disagreements go to circuit court, which may order release if in the interests of justice.

• Before releasing recordings of officer-involved deaths, agencies must consult with trauma/grief experts, notify the next of kin of the release date, and offer them a private advance viewing in a non-law enforcement setting.