Jacksonville S.O.

Florida treats body-worn camera footage as public records in general, but BWCs are subject to a specific exemption. Under 119.071(2)(l), a body camera recording is confidential and exempt from disclosure, with narrowly defined disclosure paths: to the person recorded (or their personal representative) in portions relevant to that person; to another government agency in the furtherance of official duties; or pursuant to a court order. Disclosures to the broad public are not allowed absent the above exceptions. The exemption applies retroactively and is currently scheduled to sunset on October 2, 2029 unless reenacted. Agencies using BWCs must have policies addressing use, retention, and release (943.1718). Retention requirements include at least 90 days, with longer retention often set by agency policy; agencies must respond to public-records requests promptly and within a reasonable time, per the Government-in-the-Sunshine Manual. For researchers, this means access to BWC footage requires navigating these exemptions, possibly seeking a court order or redacted footage, and understanding that non-subjects may generally not receive full footage. ([flsenate.gov](https://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2024/119.071))