An Indiana legislative committee is backing a bill allowing police departments to withhold video from police body cameras.
The House government committee voted unanimously Tuesday to advance the bill to the full House for consideration.
The bill places the burden on those seeking video to prove that its release is in the public interest and doesn’t create risk of harm or prejudice in ongoing court cases. It also requires police to retain video for 180 days.
Republican Rep. Kevin Mahan of Hartford City tells The (Muncie) Star Press that his proposal gives discretion to police departments but allows for a judge to review denied requests.
Public access advocates say the bill leaves the public “blind” to what the body cameras record and gives police incentive to not release videos.
