Ga. bill could curb public access to police body camera footage

ATLANTA, Ga. — A bill moving through the Georgia legislature would allow law enforcement agencies to deny open records requests for body camera and dash camera footage showing someone’s death once investigations close.

House Bill 1223 is currently in the House Judiciary Committee. Sponsors said potential amendments are possible.

WATCH: Inmate throws waste on guards; sheriff says jail needs changes

The Burke County sheriff’s office has released a social media video after an inmate was accused of throwing human waste on two correctional officers.

Under the bill, family members, attorneys and defendants could still request the footage through sworn affidavits. Judges could also order its release. For the general public and the press, obtaining the video would require going to court.

Republican Rep. Joseph Gullett, a supporter of the bill, said in committee that people are monetizing deaths.

“People are monetizing people’s deaths. It’s one of the worst days in a family’s life. It’s sickening,” Gullett said.

Co-sponsor Rep. Martin Momtahan, R-Georgia, said no family should have to see a loved one’s final moments go viral.

Under 2 bills, Ga. students face phone, weapons crackdowns

The Georgia House has passed two education bills that would impact every public school in the state. But there are questions over funding.

“Lord forbid, ever were to happen to my family, having those images online, it’s just heart-wrenching to see that happen,” Momtahan said.

Democrat Rep. Eric Bell argued the bill’s impact extends beyond viral videos, citing cases including George Floyd, Rayshard Brooks and Sandra Bland — deaths that sparked national outcry and demands for police reform after footage became public.

“If we never saw the George Floyd tapes, if we never saw the Sandra Bland tapes, we would still be back where families are hoping that this body camera footage was released so that the public can know what’s going on,” Bell said.

Jimmy Hill has spent six years seeking answers after his son, Jimmy Atchison, was shot and killed by an Atlanta police officer in 2019. No body camera video was available in that case. A federal judge ultimately dismissed murder charges against the officer.

Hill said he wishes footage had existed, even if it would be painful to watch.

“Heartbreaking and painful… knowing he’d been shot that many times. That was overkill,” Hill said.

Hill also said, “It’s hard to convict a police officer with a body camera.”