Idaho Bills

Amends existing law to provide for the classification, retention and destruction of law enforcement media recordings.

Section 31-871, Idaho Code, requires counties to retain all records, including digital files of video and audio recordings from body worn cameras, for a minimum of two years. Given the cost associated with management and storage of the digital media files associated with body worn cameras, many counties are currently unable to retain digital media recordings for the minimum requirement of two years. This legislation will add language to define digital recordings and a set minimum retention requirement for specified digital media files based upon the evidentiary value of the digital media file. These amendments will encourage counties to invest in digital recording devices by making the retention of county law enforcement records more achievable under county budgets.