A House bill will simplify the process for cities to provide body camera footage to attorneys under the Public Records Act.

HB 1991, sponsored by Reps. Jamila Taylor (D–Federal Way) and Drew Hansen (D–Bainbridge Island), would adjust the Public Records Act to bring the release of body cam footage in line with discovery. This means that cities would not need to redact body cam footage that was requested by a defense attorney if they already have to turn unredacted body cam footage over to the defense attorney at a later date. The attorney that receives the unredacted footage would be required to sign a written agreement that the attorney will maintain exclusive custody of the footage and only use the footage for the purposes of conducting the defendant's side of the criminal case.

Date to remember

HB 1991 is scheduled for a public hearing in the House Civil Rights & Judiciary Committee on January 25 at 10 am. It is then scheduled for executive action on January 28 at 8 am.