Georgia bill could restrict access to mug shots, police body camera footage

Georgia lawmakers are considering a bill that could make it more difficult to get mug shots and local police body camera footage.

Senate Bill 482 passed the Senate on Crossover Day 53-0 and is now in the House Public Safety and Homeland Security committee. 

If enacted, the bill would require in-person, notarized requests for mug shots and police body camera footage. The requester would also have to identify people in the video by name, which could possibly include bystanders.

While opponents say the bill would make it nearly impossible for news organizations and the public to access footage to hold police accountable, supporters argue that the bill would help prevent websites from profiting from publishing police footage and mug shots, which can indefinitely impact a person who may never be convicted of a crime.

Law enforcement officials testified in support of the bill saying that their departments are inundated with bulk requests that cost staff time and taxpayers money. 

Paulding County Sheriff Ashley Henson told lawmakers that the so-called “mugshot mills” take advantage of vulnerable people.

“Monetization of someone else’s misery is not right. It’s 100% not right, and we’ve got to do something about this,” he said.

Under the current law, many booking photos and some law enforcement footage is available to the public upon request. 

Sarah Brewerton-Palmer, an attorney and board member of the Georgia First Amendment Foundation, told Atlanta News First that the new requirements with the bill would significantly inhibit access to the materials.

“Putting up barriers that shut down access to this information will obviously lead to less oversight, and I think that will make people less safe,” she said.