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.
Whiskey City’s Liberty Theater Wins State Restoration Prize
Minor Injuries in Small Aircraft Crash in Jefferson County
Local, Regional Officials Hold Groundbreaking for Copper Creek Apartments in Greendale
First Responders Respond to Water Rescue Call
P.A.W.S. Rummage Sale: Find Hidden Gems & Help Furry Friends
10th Annual Dillsboro Heritage Days Kicks Off This Weekend
