NC H395

Requires most law enforcement officers in counties with populations exceeding 200,000 to wear and activate body-worn cameras during recordable interactions with the public, effective January 1, 2016 for State Highway Patrol and county officers and January 1, 2017 for other officers.

Establishes exceptions to camera activation requirements including interactions with confidential informants, routine non-law enforcement activities, private residence entries without consent, strip searches without consent, and victim/witness interviews without consent.

Mandates retention of original, unredacted recordings for the later of 60 days from recording, court order period, or 10 days after related legal proceedings conclude, with noncompliance admissible as evidence in criminal and civil cases.

Allows law enforcement agencies to disclose body-worn camera recordings to the public upon written request, with redactions permitted for legally protected portions, and provides court jurisdiction to compel disclosure upon good cause showing.

Appropriates $5 million for fiscal year 2015-2016 and $5 million for 2016-2017 to the Governor's Crime Commission for grants to purchase and maintain body-worn cameras, requiring a 5:1 local match and capping individual grants at $100,000.