Law Enforcement - As introduced, requires a law enforcement agency that uses body cameras to adopt a written policy for the use of the cameras by its law enforcement officers; establishes certain requirements for the policies. - Amends TCA Title 38, Chapter 1.
HB 741 requires Tennessee law enforcement agencies that use body cameras to create written policies governing their use. The bill mandates that officers activate cameras during calls for service and encounters with the public (except during immediate threats), notify subjects they are being recorded, and keep cameras on until the encounter ends. Exceptions include turning cameras off when a private resident requests it, when interacting with domestic abuse or rape victims, or with anonymous crime tipsters. The policy must also prohibit using body cameras to record First Amendment activities unrelated to police responses. This directly affects all Tennessee law enforcement agencies and officers using body-worn cameras.
Bill status
failed
1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2025
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Feb 5, 2025
Last action Mar 12, 2025
Floor votes
How they voted
No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
8
Key actions
3
Committee
5
Mar 5, 2025
Lower · Passed
Placed on s/c cal Public Service Subcommittee for 3/12/2025
lower
Feb 26, 2025
Lower · Passed
Action Def. in s/c Public Service Subcommittee to 3/12/2025
lower
Feb 19, 2025
Lower · Passed
Placed on s/c cal Public Service Subcommittee for 2/26/2025
lower
Feb 10, 2025
Committee
Assigned to s/c Public Service Subcommittee
lower
Feb 6, 2025
Committee
P2C, ref. to State & Local Government Committee
lower
Feb 5, 2025
Introduced
Intro., P1C.
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Sam McKenzie
DDemocratic
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