Bill to expand body camera use for law enforcement passes Senate
HARRISBURG – Legislation sponsored by Senate Judiciary Committee chair Sen. Lisa Baker, R-20, to expand the use of body-worn cameras to additional law enforcement personnel has passed the Senate.
Senate Bill 520 authorizes the use of body cameras by special agents with the Office of Attorney General, rangers with the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, and officers and deputies with the Pennsylvania Game and the Fish and Boat commissions.
“This is a commonsense, bipartisan bill that strengthens both officer safety and public trust,” Baker said. “These officers often serve in remote or dangerous environments. Equipping them with body cameras helps protect their safety and provides an objective record of their interactions with the public.”
Attorney General Dave Sunday commended the Senate on the bill’s passage, emphasizing the need for this legislation. “This is a vital tool for law enforcement,” Sunday said. “Office of Attorney General agents face dangerous individuals and situations each day when conducting investigations, executing search warrants and making arrests. Body cameras have proven to be a critical tool to protect law enforcement and the communities they serve. I urge quick passage of Senate Bill 520 to allow us to equip our agents with body cameras.”
The bill also consolidates and modernizes the legal framework for body camera usage by updating the definition of “law enforcement officer” under the Wiretap Act, aligning policies across agencies and repealing outdated provisions. This ensures consistency in how body camera footage is recorded and managed, regardless of the department using it.
“As body camera technology has evolved, so too must our laws,” Baker said. “This bill provides the clarity and coverage necessary to expand this valuable tool to the officials who need it most. When there are misunderstandings or disputes, body camera footage can help prevent situations from escalating into harm or tragedy.”
Senate Bill 520 now heads to the House of Representatives for consideration.
