Bill
HB 1219
HB 1219 aimed to require law enforcement agencies to provide body-worn cameras for officers by 2026, enhancing transparency and accountability in public interactions.
Bill Number: HB 1219
Title: To Require Law Enforcement Agencies and Public Entities that Employ Law Enforcement Officers to Provide Body-Worn Cameras; and to Require the Recording of Law Enforcement Interaction with the Public.
Status: Withdrawn by Author
Introduced: January 24, 2025
Sponsors: Rep. R. Scott Richardson and Sen. C. Penzo
The primary aim of HB 1219 was to enhance transparency and accountability in law enforcement by mandating that all law enforcement agencies and public entities employing law enforcement officers provide body-worn cameras (BWCs) to their officers. The bill sought to ensure that all official interactions between law enforcement officers and the public are recorded, thereby creating a reliable record for legal and training purposes.
Body-Worn Camera Requirement:
Each law enforcement agency or public entity must provide a body-worn camera to every officer by December 31, 2026. Officers are required to wear these cameras while on duty and record all official interactions with the public.
Implementation Rules:
Agencies employing law enforcement officers are tasked with promulgating rules to implement the body camera requirement, including training for officers on how to use the cameras effectively.
Privacy Protections:
The bill included provisions to protect personally identifiable or confidential information that may be recorded during interactions with the public.
Cost Estimates:
The initial cost for procuring body-worn cameras was estimated at $10,000 for five cameras (approximately $2,000 each). Additionally, there would be ongoing annual maintenance costs of about $1,000 per device for storage solutions for the recorded data.
Revenue Impact:
The bill was projected to have no impact on state revenues.
Law Enforcement Agencies:
All police departments, county sheriff's offices, and other public entities that employ law enforcement officers would be directly affected by the requirements set forth in the bill.
Law Enforcement Officers:
Officers would be required to wear body-worn cameras during their shifts, impacting their daily operations and interactions with the public.
Timeline for Implementation:
Agencies were required to have the body-worn cameras in use by the end of 2026, with rules needing to be filed with the Secretary of State by August 1, 2026.
Legislative Actions:
The bill was introduced on January 24, 2025, and was read and referred to the Judiciary Committee. However, it was withdrawn by the author on February 6, 2025, before further action could be taken.
While HB 1219 aimed to improve accountability within law enforcement through the use of body-worn cameras, the bill was ultimately withdrawn before it could be enacted. The proposed legislation highlighted ongoing discussions about transparency, public trust, and the use of technology in policing.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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