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Bill would tighten public access to mugshots and bodycam videos and restrict some graphic videos from open records
Summary
Senator Strickland presented SB 482 to require in-person requests and identifying information for mugshot and bodycam releases and to limit public release of government videos that include deaths, citing privacy and commercial exploitation concerns.
Senator Strickland (Senator) presented SB 482, explaining the bill would require requesters to present certain identifying information in person to obtain mugshots or bodycam video, aiming to reduce commercial harvesting and profiteering from those images. He said the goal is to stop companies that request large batches of images and then post or monetize them online.
The substitute also includes a provision that government videos showing someone dying or containing a death would be restricted from disclosure under the Open Records Act unless the requester can show a need that outweighs family privacy interests. Committee members raised implementation questions: Chairman Martin and others suggested defining a single-incident request to avoid requiring multiple separate requests for multiple cameras; Senator Strickland signaled openness to that amendment. Representative Williamson recalled earlier state law changes making it illegal to charge for takedown and limiting automatic public posting, arguing that prior reforms have not fully stopped commercial exploitation.
When asked about a provision that was removed in House committee (language about sexual-harassment settlements involving legislators), Senator Strickland said the House removed that floor amendment and that he had supported it in the Senate. No vote on the bill was recorded in the excerpt.
