If enacted, HB 9954 would prohibit federal law enforcement agencies from deploying facial recognition or any other remote biometric surveillance systems on data recorded by body-worn cameras. Additionally, states or local governments that fail to comply with this prohibition would be at risk of losing federal financial assistance under the Byrne grant program. The bill emphasizes that such surveillance technology can create substantial risks of misidentification, particularly affecting marginalized communities, which may deter individuals from seeking police help due to fear of profiling or being wrongfully identified.
Summary
House Bill 9954, known as the 'Facial Recognition Ban on Body Cameras Act', aims to prohibit the use of remote biometric surveillance technology, such as facial recognition, on any data obtained through body-worn cameras used by law enforcement officers. This legislation is positioned as a crucial step toward protecting the civil rights and civil liberties of individuals, particularly emphasizing the potential for misuse and identity misidentification associated with these technologies. As such, it seeks to address concerns over privacy violations and the overreach of surveillance practices in public spaces.
Contention
The bill is likely to face contention in light of the ongoing debate about the balance between public safety and individual privacy rights. Proponents argue that the risk of erroneous identifications and the implications for civil liberties necessitate strict regulations on surveillance technologies. On the other hand, opponents may contend that limiting the use of such technologies could impede law enforcement capabilities and compromise public safety initiatives. The bill's adoption or rejection could significantly alter the landscape of surveillance and policing practices across the nation.
Police Creating Accountability by Making Effective Recording Available Act of 2025 or the Police CAMERA Act of 2025This bill authorizes the Bureau of Justice Assistance within the Department of Justice to make grants for states, local governments, and Indian tribes to purchase or lease body-worn cameras for use by law enforcement officers and to implement body-worn camera programs.