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HR5070119th Congress

Federal Police Camera and Accountability Act

Sponsored By: Representative Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large]

Introduced

Summary

This bill would set national rules for body-worn and in-car cameras and would ban the use of facial recognition and other biometric surveillance on those devices. It focuses on when cameras must record, how long footage is kept, who can see it, and limits on biometric uses.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Ban on face recognition and surveillance

If enacted, cameras and recordings could not use facial recognition or other biometric tools—live, later, or by hiring a third party. Cameras could not be used to gather intelligence about speech, religion, or associations, or to record things not tied to a call or stop. Agencies could not use footage for commercial or non‑law‑enforcement purposes, and supervisors could not review short‑term footage without a specific misconduct claim. Agencies would also have to post their body‑camera policies online.

How long footage is kept and shared

If enacted, most body‑camera videos would be kept 6 months, then deleted. During those 6 months, people in the video (and some family), the recording officer, a superior, and defense lawyers with an affidavit could inspect it; copies would be limited. Videos with any use of force or a complained‑about stop would be kept at least 3 years, and subjects, family, or officers could also ask for 3‑year retention; training‑only footage kept past 6 months could not be used as evidence. The public could request footage, but some videos would need written consent from private people in the clip; deadly‑force or grave‑injury videos kept 3 years would be fast‑tracked and, if approved, sent within 5 days. Agencies could redact for privacy or safety but must keep the unedited original, and footage recorded in violation of the rules could not be used against the public.

Stronger rules after force or tampering

If enacted, agencies would have to discipline officers who break recording or retention rules or who tamper with footage. Courts would start with a presumption helping defendants or civil plaintiffs if important video was destroyed or not captured, unless strong evidence or an emergency shows otherwise. After a death, firearm injury, or any incident that becomes a criminal case, the agency would seize the camera, preserve it, and make a forensic copy for disclosure under the bill’s rules. These changes would not override existing evidence laws, and they would apply to officers only while on duty.

When federal officers must record

If enacted, federal officers would have to wear body cameras, worn to capture what the officer sees, and turn them on for calls and stops. Cameras would stay on until the stop ends and the officer leaves; officers would tell people they are being recorded and must record any request to stop in a home or from a victim. Audio would stop once a person is released and before a separate investigation starts. Recording at K–12 schools would be barred unless there is an imminent threat, with exceptions for informants, undercover work, national security, or protective roles. Federal patrol cars would also need in‑car video and audio that can record at least 10 hours; car cameras would record during patrols, stops, and transports, be kept at least 90 days, and agencies would log and fix broken equipment quickly.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large]

DC • D

Cosponsors

  • Rep. Beyer, Donald S. [D-VA-8]

    VA • D

    Sponsored 8/29/2025

  • Rep. Green, Al [D-TX-9]

    TX • D

    Sponsored 7/13/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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