08/26/2016

Police Body Cam Legislation Introduced

Ohio ACEP meets with bill sponsor to ensure patient privacy and physician protection

On July 11, Rep. Niraj Antani (R – Miamisburg) introduced House Bill 585, which specifies that any footage from a body camera worn by law enforcement will be considered a public record. The legislation would have several specific exemptions to the public record designation, however. Among the exemptions are any footage of “personal information”, including information like Social Security numbers, personal financial information, and medical records.

Ohio ACEP recently met with Rep. Antani to speak with him about the implications of operating police body cameras while in the emergency department and to inform him of the Chapter’s position that privacy for patients in the ED must be protected.

Ohio ACEP has also conveyed our stance to representatives of the City of Columbus, which recently rolled out its pilot program for use of police body cameras.

Additional legislation regarding body cameras is also being considered. House Bill 407, introduced by Reps. Kevin Boyce (D – Columbus) and Cheryl Grossman (R – Grove City), would require law enforcement agencies that use body cameras to adopt written policies for their use. HB 407 has cleared the House Local Government Committee and may face a vote by the full Ohio House when representatives return from summer recess.

Be on the lookout for updates from Ohio ACEP on HB 585’s progress.