A bill to provide funding for body worn cameras (BWC) and to offset costs associated with public records requests associated with BWC footage is scheduled for a hearing this week.

HB 1845, sponsored by Representative Gina Mosbrucker (R–Goldendale), creates a grant program to assist law enforcement agencies with:

• The initial purchase, maintenance, and replacement of BWCs;
• Costs associated with the maintenance and storage of data recorded by BWCs; and
• Costs associated with responding to public records requests and hiring additional personnel to assist with a BWC program.

The grant program will be administered through the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs.

AWC supports HB 1845.

Dates to remember

HB 1845 is scheduled for a public hearing in the House Committee on Appropriations on Thursday, January 20 at 3:30 pm.