THE BILL ITSELF
CS/HB 509
Code Inspector Body Cameras
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A bill to be entitled
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An act relating to code inspector body cameras;
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creating s. 162.41, F.S.; defining terms; requiring a
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governmental entity that permits its code inspectors
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to wear body cameras to establish certain policies and
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procedures; requiring such governmental entity to
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ensure that certain training occurs, to retain certain
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data in accordance with public records laws, and to
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perform a periodic review of actual body camera
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practices; providing that certain provisions relating
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to the interception of wire, electronic, and oral
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communications do not apply to body camera recordings
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made by code inspectors; providing an effective date.
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Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
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Section 1. Section 162.41, Florida Statutes, is created to
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read:
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162.41 Code inspector body cameras; policies and
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procedures.—
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(1) As used in this section, the term:
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(a) "Body camera" means a portable electronic recording
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device worn on a code inspector's person which records audio and
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video data of the code inspector's encounters and activities.
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(b) "Code inspector" has the same meaning as in s.
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162.04(2).
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(2) A governmental entity that permits its code inspectors
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to wear body cameras shall establish policies and procedures
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addressing the proper use, maintenance, and storage of body
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cameras and the data recorded by body cameras. The policies and
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procedures must include all of the following:
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(a) General guidelines for the proper use, maintenance,
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and storage of body cameras.
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(b) Any limitation on which code inspectors are permitted
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to wear body cameras.
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(c) Any limitation on code enforcement-related encounters
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and activities in which code inspectors are permitted to wear
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body cameras. A code inspector must be permitted to use a body
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camera to record any encounter with a member of the public which
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occurs while the inspector is performing his or her duties.
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(d) General guidelines for the proper storage, retention,
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and release of audio and video data recorded by body cameras.
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(3) A governmental entity that permits its code inspectors
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to wear body cameras shall do all of the following:
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(a) Ensure that all personnel who wear, use, maintain, or
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store body cameras are trained in the governmental entity's body
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camera policies and procedures.
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(b) Ensure that all personnel who use, maintain, store, or
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release audio or video data recorded by body cameras are trained
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in the governmental entity's policies and procedures.
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(c) Retain audio and video data recorded by body cameras
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in accordance with the requirements of s. 119.021, except as
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otherwise provided by law.
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(d) Perform a periodic review of actual body camera
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practices to ensure conformity with the governmental entity's
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body camera policies and procedures.
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(4) Chapter 934 does not apply to body camera recordings
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made by code inspectors who elect to use body cameras.
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Section 2. This act shall take effect July 1, 2026.