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Testimony opened Tuesday in Lansing on a proposal to put restrictions on the public release of police body camera video.
The measure ensures that audio and video recordings that are made inside homes and other private places are exempt from release under the Freedom of Information Act.
The bill is sponsored by House Republican Jim Runestad of White Lake.
The private videos could still be available, but only to people in the recordings, the parent or lawyer of someone who was recorded or a person who had property seized.
The legislation also requires law enforcement to retain body camera recordings for at least 30 days, unless the recording is relevant to a complaint against a law enforcement agency or has been requested by an interested party, in which case it must be kept for up to three years or more.
The American Civil Liberties Union supports the measure, but notes that there may be more legislation needed in the future to protect private citizens.
