How HB 706 changes current law

Compared against the N.C. General Statutes as published AI-generated reading aid — verify against the official bill.

The bill repeals existing law regarding law enforcement agency recordings and establishes new requirements for body-worn cameras and dashboard cameras.

• G.S. 132-1.4A

  § 132-1.4A. Law enforcement agency recordings.

  This change completely removes the existing section on law enforcement agency recordings.

• Chapter 15A

  Article 7. Body-Worn Cameras and Dashboard Cameras.

  This adds a new article to establish requirements and definitions for body-worn and dashboard cameras in law enforcement.

• 15A-202

  § 15A-202. Body-worn cameras required for law enforcement officers.

  This section mandates that law enforcement officers wear and activate body-worn cameras during recordable interactions.

• 15A-203

  § 15A-203. Use of dashboard cameras in law enforcement vehicles.

  This section requires activation of dashboard cameras during relevant law enforcement interactions.

• 15A-202(e)

  Evidence. – If otherwise admissible, a recording captured by a body-worn camera pursuant to this section may be used as evidence in any relevant administrative, civil, or criminal proceeding.

  This clarifies the admissibility of recordings from body-worn cameras in legal proceedings.

• 15A-202(f)

  Retention. – A law enforcement agency shall retain an original, unredacted recording captured by a body-worn camera pursuant to this section for the later of (i) 60 days from the date of the recording, (ii) the period specified in a court order, or (iii) 10 days from the date an administrative, civil, or criminal proceeding in which the recording was used as evidence concludes.

  This establishes a specific retention period for recordings from body-worn cameras.

• G.S. 126-22

  Notwithstanding G.S. 126-22, 132-1.4, 153A-98, 160A-168, or any other provision of law to the contrary, a law enforcement agency may disclose or provide a copy of any recording captured by a body-worn camera under this section to any person who submits a written request to the law enforcement agency.

  This allows greater public access to recordings, overriding previous restrictions on personnel files.