Ohio lawmakers have passed a controversial bill that could make it more difficult for people to access footage captured by law enforcement, including video from body cameras.
Earlier this month, lawmakers in Ohio passed hb 315A massive bill that was signed by Republican Governor Mike DeWine. As reported by news 5 clevelandThe bill includes provisions that would enable law enforcement agencies to charge people up to $750 to gain access to video from police officers and jails.
The argument made by lawmakers and Governor DeWine is that it takes effort and time for law enforcement agencies to provide video as part of the public record and that these agencies should have a means to recover the cost of these “burdens”.
“I strongly support the public’s – and the news media’s – right to access public records. The language of House Bill 315 does not change that right,” DeWine writes in an official statement.
“Law enforcement-worn body cameras and dashboard cameras have been a huge improvement for both law enforcement investigations and accountability. However, I am sensitive to the fact that this changing technology has at times impacted law enforcement by placing unnecessary burdens on these agencies, especially given the often time-consuming and labor-intensive work of providing them as public records. The matter comes.
DeWine further says that law enforcement agencies should not have to choose between using their resources “for officers on the street” and doing time-intensive things like recording and editing video before it can be released to the public. Can be done. If videos show things that could jeopardize an active investigation or put protected people (such as children) at risk, they must be revised and edited, which can be time-consuming.
Lawmakers argue that many of Ohio’s nearly 1,000 police departments are small and lack the resources to handle video requests.
Under questions from reporters, DeWine reiterated that he is a “strong supporter” of police cameras, while adding that because so many police officers are wearing body cameras, the process of supplying video in response to public records requests has become overwhelming. .
House Bill 315 allows agencies, at their discretion, to charge $75 per hour for video processing work, up to a maximum of $750. Legal experts worry the bill would reduce access to video from police dash and body cameras, as well as footage from inside prisons. These videos are part of the public record in Ohio.
DeWine says that if the bill he signed becomes law, “unintended consequences arise,” he will work to amend the language to address “legitimate concerns.”
news 5 cleveland Journalist Morgan Trough puts it well excellent reporting“Police body and dash camera footage helps Ohioans know what’s going on in their communities.” Ohio lawmakers have erected a paywall in front of that knowledge, which often stands as one of the last lines of defense for people who have dangerous or otherwise unfortunate interactions with law enforcement.
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