45-254. Law enforcement recordings using body camera or vehicle camera; criminal investigation records; disclosure. (a) Every audio or video recording made and retained by law enforcement using a body camera or a vehicle camera shall be considered a criminal investigation record as defined in K.S.A. 45-217, and amendments thereto. The provisions of this subsection shall expire on July 1, 2021, unless the legislature reviews and reenacts this provision pursuant to K.S.A. 45-229, and amendments thereto, prior to July 1, 2021.

(b) In addition to any disclosure authorized pursuant to the open records act, K.S.A. 45-215 et seq., and amendments thereto, a person described in subsection (c) may make a request in accordance with procedures adopted under K.S.A. 45-220, and amendments thereto, to listen to an audio recording or to view a video recording made by a body camera or a vehicle camera. The law enforcement agency shall allow the person to listen to the requested audio recording or to view the requested video recording within 20 days after making the request, and may charge a reasonable fee for such services provided by the law enforcement agency.

(c) Any of the following may make a request under subsection (b):

(1) A person who is a subject of the recording;

(2) any parent or legal guardian of a person under 18 years of age who is a subject of the recording;

(3) an heir at law, when a decedent is a subject of the recording; and

(4) an attorney for a person described in this subsection.

(d) As used in this section:

(1) "Body camera" means a device that is worn by a law enforcement officer that electronically records audio or video of such officer's activities.

(2) "Heir at law" means: (A) An executor or an administrator of the decedent; (B) the spouse of the decedent, if living; (C) if there is no living spouse of the decedent, an adult child of the decedent, if living; or (D) if there is no living spouse or adult child of the decedent, a parent of the decedent, if living.

(3) "Vehicle camera" means a device that is attached to a law enforcement vehicle that electronically records audio or video of law enforcement officers' activities.

History: L. 2016, ch. 82, § 1; L. 2018, ch. 87, § 8; July 1.