New Jersey is debating changing its public records law to prevent exploitative police body cam footage from being posted online.

“It has come to the sponsor’s attention that bad actors have been taking advantage of the State’s open public records law in order to exploit on social media young women who have been recorded on body worn cameras during law enforcement encounters,” a statement within the bill reads.

An earlier version of the bill sparked concern from First Amendment advocates, who told the New Jersey Monitor the change could potentially criminalize journalism. That bill died in committee.

This year’s bill would ban the publication of body cam footage without “the prior written consent of each subject of the body worn camera recording, unless the disclosure is for a legitimate public health or safety purpose or a compelling public interest.” It was sent to committee in February and has not moved forward since.

Posted: May 21, 2026
Category: Brechner News
Tagged as: Secrecy Tracker