The Florida Senate

The bill requires counties and municipalities that permit code inspectors to wear body cameras to establish policies and procedures governing the proper use, maintenance, storage, and data management of those cameras. The policies and procedures must include:

• General guidelines for the proper use, maintenance, and storage of body cameras;
• Any limitation on which code inspectors are permitted to wear body cameras;
• Any limitation on code enforcement-related encounters and activities in which body cameras may be used; however, a code inspector must be allowed to record any encounter with a member of the public occurring while performing official duties; and
• General guidelines for the proper storage, retention, and release of audio and video data captured by body cameras.

The bill also requires counties and municipalities that permit code inspectors to wear body cameras to:

• Ensure all personnel who wear, use, maintain, or store body cameras are trained in the local government’s body camera policies and procedures;
• Retain audio and video data recorded by body cameras in accordance with the requirements of s. 119.021, F.S., regarding custodial, maintenance, preservation, and retention requirements for public records, except as otherwise provided by law;
• Periodically review body camera practices to ensure compliance with the local government’s policies and procedures; and
• Ensure all personnel who use, maintain, store, or release body camera data are trained in their policies and procedures.

The bill defines “body camera” as a portable electronic recording device worn on a code inspector’s person which records audio and video data of the code inspector’s encounters and activities. The bill also defines “code inspector” as any authorized agent or employee of the county or municipality whose duty it is to assure code compliance.

The bill specifies that ch. 934, F.S., regarding the privacy of oral and wire communications, does not apply to body camera recordings made by code inspectors. This allows code inspectors to wear body cameras while performing their official duties without notifying or obtaining consent from each individual they encounter. Body camera recordings made by law enforcement agencies are also exempt from the provisions of ch. 934, F.S. SB 506, which is linked to this bill, creates a public records exemption for code inspector body camera recordings.

If approved by the Governor, or allowed to become law without the Governor's signature, these provisions take effect on July 1, 2026.

Vote: Senate 39-0; House 111-0