Bill
S 8172
Prohibits obscuring body-worn or stationary cameras in correctional facilities to preserve video evidence, boosting accountability, investigations, and safety.
Status snapshot
- Bill No.: S8172 (printed as S8172A and S8172B)
- Title: Prohibits the obscuring of body‑worn or stationary cameras in correctional institutions
- Primary sponsor: Sen. Cordell Cleare
- Introduced: May 19, 2025
- Current status: Passed Senate (6/11/2025); delivered to Assembly and referred to the Assembly Correction Committee (6/11/2025)
- Committee history: Referred to Crime Victims, Crime and Correction (5/19/2025); amended and re‑committed (6/2 and 6/4) with print numbers 8172A and 8172B; discharged to Rules and ordered to third reading (6/11/2025)
- Companion: A8249 (Assembly companion bill)
Purpose and intent
- The bill’s stated purpose is to prohibit the obscuring of video recording devices — specifically body‑worn cameras and stationary cameras — used within correctional institutions. The aim is to preserve the integrity and reliability of recorded footage used for supervision, accountability, investigation, and evidence.
Key provisions (based on available summary information)
- Prohibition: It makes it unlawful to obscure, cover, disable or otherwise render inoperative body‑worn or stationary video cameras located in correctional facilities.
- Scope: Applies to cameras used within correctional institutions (this generally includes devices worn by staff and cameras fixed in facility locations).
- Versions and amendments: The bill was amended (S8172A, S8172B) during committee consideration; the printed versions reflect those amendments. The public filing for S8172 contains two printed amendments (A and B) from June 2 and June 4, 2025.
Who would be affected
- Correctional staff and contractors who wear or operate body‑worn cameras or work in areas with stationary cameras
- Facility administrators responsible for camera policies, training and enforcement
- Incarcerated persons and visitors, since footage integrity may affect investigations, disciplinary actions, and legal evidence
- Oversight bodies and investigators who rely on video records
Potential impacts and considerations
- Transparency and accountability: Strengthens protections against tampering with video evidence and may improve oversight of staff conduct and inmate safety.
- Operational changes: Facilities may need to update policies, discipline rules, training, and monitoring procedures to ensure compliance.
- Costs: Possible minimal administrative costs for training and enforcement; equipment upgrades or redundancy measures could generate additional costs depending on implementation.
- Privacy/legal issues: The bill’s text will determine any exceptions (e.g., for legitimate privacy needs, safety operations, or authorized maintenance) and specify penalties or disciplinary measures; those details are not readable in the provided PDF extracts and should be reviewed in the full bill text.
Next steps / timeline
- Having passed the Senate on 6/11/2025, S8172 has been delivered to the Assembly and referred to the Assembly Correction Committee; further committee action and floor consideration in the Assembly would be required for enactment. Consult the Assembly committee for hearing dates and amendments.
Where to find the full bill text
- For precise statutory language, penalties, exceptions, and enforcement mechanisms, consult the official legislative text for S8172 (including S8172A and S8172B) and companion A8249 on the legislative website or the Assembly Correction Committee docket.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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