Courtroom-recording amendment fails; House approves body cameras for county probation officers

House Bill 22 99, which would provide body cameras for county probation officers, was called on the floor. Representative Flick offered Amendment A03675 to allow limited recordings during court proceedings, arguing such recordings would "promote greater transparency in court and accountability within the judicial process" and including safeguards to bar recordings in sensitive cases. Representative Pizarro opposed the amendment on separation-of-powers grounds, saying it would improperly mandate courtroom practices and urging members to vote no: "This amendment violates the separation of powers doctrine of the Pennsylvania constitution." The amendment failed on recorded vote (ayes 97, nays 105). The House then agreed to the underlying bill.

Supporters of the amendment cited transparency and examples from other states; opponents emphasized constitutional limits on the legislature's authority over courts. The failed amendment did not prevent passage of the probation officer body-camera bill itself, which the House approved as presented.

Next steps: the bill will be reprinted and proceed according to the House calendar.