Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Body Worn Cameras topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Committee advances bill to let local governments authorize code-enforcement body cameras, adds training and privacy limits
Summary
The Florida House Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee voted to report HB 509 (with an amendment) and linked HB 511, creating a voluntary framework for code-enforcement officers to use body-worn cameras, requiring training for personnel handling footage and adding a narrowly tailored public-records exemption for recordings made in areas with a reasonable expectation of privacy.
Representative Partington presented HB 509, saying the bill “establishes a clear uniform framework for the voluntary use of body worn cameras by code enforcement officers” and that it does not require local governments to adopt body cameras.
Partington introduced a short amendment (barcode 197179) that “ensures that all personnel who use, maintain, store, or release audio or video data recorded by body cameras are trained in the governmental entities’ policies and procedures,” and the committee adopted the amendment after brief questions.
Representative Gantt asked for clarification on the scope of the policies: “The policies are specifically and particularly related to the body cam footage. Correct?” Partington replied, “Correct.” Representative Holcomb raised cost concerns about data retention and asked whether the committee had considered a shorter retention period than the bill’s proposed 90 days, saying, “Because there's a massive cost in the data storage for the data from body cameras.” Partington said she had no firm preference and that changes could be made later.
Representative Partington also presented HB 511, linked legislation creating a narrow public-records exemption for body-worn camera recordings captured by code-enforcement officers in locations where individuals have a reasonable expectation of privacy. When asked for an example, Partington said inviting a code-enforcement officer into a home would likely create that privacy expectation and that sensitive items (for example, prescription medications seen on a counter) would be redacted if recordings were released.
Supporters including the Florida League of Cities and the Southern Poverty Law Center waived in support. With the amendment adopted and no further debate, the subcommittee recorded the roll call and showed HB 509 reported favorably as amended (roll call: 15 ayes, 0 nays) and HB 511 reported favorably (roll call recorded by the clerk).
The committee’s action moves both bills to the next legislative stop; sponsors noted that final policy details such as retention periods and precise exemption language may be refined in later committees or drafting stages.
