HB289 Alabama 2023 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Juandalynn GivanRepresentative

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2023

Title

Relating to law enforcement agency recordings; to provide for circumstances and procedures to disclose or release recordings made by body-worn cameras or dashboard cameras used by law enforcement agencies; and to provide who may request disclosure or release and the procedure for requesting disclosure or release of recordings.

Summary

HB289 creates rules for when and how law enforcement body-worn and dashboard camera recordings can be disclosed or released, and who may request them.

What This Bill Does

It defines key terms like body-worn camera, dashboard camera, custodial agency, recording, disclosure, and personal representative. It specifies who may request disclosures (the recording's subject or their personal representative, including adults with consent, guardians, incapacitated individuals, minors, deceased subjects, and their attorneys) and that disclosures are limited to the portions relevant to the request. It requires written requests to the head of the custodial agency, and the agency must disclose the relevant portion or decline, with the option to redact and charge a reasonable fee; disclosures can be blocked if they would affect an ongoing investigation. It also states that the act does not apply to exchanges between agencies, requires retention of recordings per schedule, and becomes effective after governor approval.

Who It Affects

• Individuals who are the subject of a recording and their personal representatives (including guardians, spouses, attorneys, and in certain cases the estate of a deceased person) who may request and receive disclosure of relevant portions.
• Custodial law enforcement agencies and their personnel, who must process requests, determine what portions can be disclosed, handle redactions and potential fees, and retain recordings according to the records schedule; attorneys representing subjects may also request disclosures.

Key Provisions

• Definitions for body-worn camera, dashboard camera, custodial law enforcement agency, recording, disclosure, personal representative, and release.
• Disclosure is limited to the portions relevant to the requester and may be denied if it would interfere with an ongoing investigation; requests must be written and identify the activity or time of the recording.
• Eligible requesters include the subject, their personal representative (including adults, guardians, incapacitated individuals, or deceased subjects' estates), and their attorneys; releases must be to these specified parties and may require consent in certain adult cases.
• Law enforcement agencies may redact portions and may charge a reasonable fee for redaction and editing; agencies may refuse disclosure to protect ongoing investigations.
• Recordings must be retained according to the applicable records retention schedule.
• The act becomes effective on the first day of the third month after passage and governor approval.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 22, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.