Governments could charge up to $75 an hour for work.
Shutterstock photo.
COLUMBUS - Ohio Governor Mike DeWine has signed a bill into law that will allow law enforcement to charge the public for body-cam footage.
House Bill 315 allows law enforcement to charge Ohioans for the estimated cost of processing the video. Governments could charge up to $75 an hour for work with a fee cap of $750 for each request.
Governor DeWine says because the $75 charge is a permissive fee, hand not a mandatory one, he felt comfortable allowing the provision to become state law.
Under existing law, police departments charge little to no cost for the service. Currently, police can charge for physical costs, such as a flash drive.
In a statement, DeWine said he supports the public and news media's rights to access public records. He added that this law is intended to help departments recoup labor costs, as the process of redacting and processing body camera video is often a long and time-consuming task that departments don't get compensated for.
Batesville Kiwanis: A Special Honor for One of Our Own
UPDATE: Missing Jennings County Man Safely Located
One Extricated Following Single Vehicle Crash in Ripley County
Families Who Have Experienced Pregnancy or Infant Loss Invited to Join Walk to Remember
Multiple Agencies Battle Dairy Farm Fire
SEIMA Project: Young Artists Build the Next Musical Legacy
