HB 2903-S - DIGEST

(DIGEST AS ENACTED)

     Pertains to sound recordings made in conjunction with video images recorded by video cameras mounted in law enforcement vehicles.

     Declares an intent, by the enactment of this act, to provide a very limited exception to the restrictions on disclosure of intercepted communications.

     Requires that all law enforcement officers wearing a sound recording device that makes recordings corresponding to videos recorded by video cameras mounted in law enforcement vehicles must be in uniform.  A sound recording device which makes a recording may only be operated simultaneously with the video camera.  No sound recording device may be intentionally turned off by the law enforcement officer during the operation of the video camera.

     Provides that no sound or video recording may be duplicated and made available to the public by a law enforcement agency subject to this act until final disposition of any criminal or civil litigation which arises from the incident or incidents which were recorded.  Such sound recordings shall not be divulged or used by any law enforcement agency for any commercial purpose.

     Requires a law enforcement officer to inform any person being recorded by sound that a sound recording is being made and the statement so informing the person shall be included in the sound recording, except that the law enforcement officer is not required to inform the person being recorded if the person is being recorded under exigent circumstances.

     Declares that any person who knowingly alters, erases, or wrongfully discloses any recording in violation of RCW 9.73.090(1)(c) is guilty of a gross misdemeanor.