Senate committee OKs statewide rules for code-inspector body cameras, narrows public access to footage

Senators on the Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice voted to advance two bills from Senator Burgess to authorize and regulate body cameras for code inspectors and limit public access to some recordings.

SB 504 would permit local governments to use body cameras for code inspectors under a statewide framework and require standardized policies for jurisdictions that adopt the technology. Senator Burgess told the committee the bill recognizes existing local practices and seeks to ensure consistent rules and training for camera users. During discussion Senator Smith asked whether property owners would be notified when an inspector uses a camera on private residential property; Burgess said the bill limits when cameras may be on and that he would provide more specific guidance to the committee.

A Burgess amendment (936954) clarifies that camera users must be familiar with the rules and procedures governing use; the committee adopted the amendment and then voted to report the bill favorably.

SB 506, a companion public-records exemption, would align code-inspector body-camera footage with existing body-camera statutes, exempting images of minors, visible prescription medications and other private details not related to code enforcement infractions. Burgess said the exemption is intended to protect privacy and safety while fitting the bill into existing body-camera law.

Representatives of municipal and county organizations and the Florida Association of Code Enforcement waived in support of both bills. By recorded roll calls, the committee reported CS for SB 504 and SB 506 favorably.

The committee did not take up additional amendments to either bill during the hearing. The measures now move to the next steps in the Senate process.