What's happening
This bill requires all police officers executing a search warrant in New York to wear and use active body cameras.
Why it matters
Increases police accountability. By mandating that every officer involved in executing a search warrant must wear and use an active, unobstructed body camera, the bill aims to provide a clear and unbiased record of police actions during searches, potentially deterring misconduct and providing evidence in cases of disputes or complaints.
Protects both civilians and officers. The required video recording can serve as crucial evidence if questions arise about the legality or conduct of the search, protecting civilians’ rights and also shielding officers from false accusations.
Covers the entire process, not just entry. The bill specifies that cameras must be active not only during the search itself but also throughout any related actions afterward (such as securing people or evidence), closing gaps that sometimes exist in recording requirements and ensuring comprehensive documentation.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Require Police Body Cameras
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to codes
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
10645
IN ASSEMBLY
June 17, 2020
Introduced by COMMITTEE ON RULES -- (at request of M. of A. Perry) -read once and referred to the Committee on Codes
AN ACT to amend the criminal procedure law, in relation to requiring that all police officers involved in the execution of a search warrant wear body cameras
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Section 690.50 of the criminal procedure law is amended by adding a new subdivision 3-a to read as follows:
3-a. A search warrant shall not be executed without the execution of such warrant being recorded by a functioning and unobstructed body camera or other functioning and unobstructed video recording device. Each police officer involved in the execution of a search warrant must wear a functioning and unobstructed body camera that shall be active prior to and throughout the execution of the search and during any related action following the execution of the search warrant, including, but not limited to the securing of persons or evidence.
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the thirtieth day after it shall have become a law.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD16715-01-0
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.