AB 896

This bill creates requirements for law enforcement agencies that use body

cameras on law enforcement officers. Under the bill, if a law enforcement agency

uses a body camera, the agency must have a written policy on the use, maintenance,

and storage of the cameras and the data recorded by the cameras. The bill also

requires that the law enforcement agencies retain data from the recordings for at

least 120 days and specifies the circumstances in which that data must be retained

longer. For instance, under the bill, if data depict an encounter that resulted in a

death, injury, or custodial arrest; a search during temporary questioning; or an

encounter that involved an officer using force, the agency must retain the data until

the final disposition of the investigation, case, or complaint to which the data pertain.

Under the bill, the data from body cameras are subject to inspection and copying

under the open records laws with exceptions to protect privacy and the identity of

victims and minors.