Senator Anthony M. Bucco, Republican Leader - District 25 | Official U.S. Senate headshot
Senator Anthony M. Bucco, Republican Leader - District 25 | Official U.S. Senate headshot
Senator Anthony Bucco (R-25) has taken a stand against the exploitation of young individuals in New Jersey by introducing a bill aimed at reforming the Open Public Records Act (OPRA). The bill specifically targets bad-faith OPRA requests involving young individuals who are subjects of body-worn camera (BWC) footage.
In a statement, Senator Bucco emphasized the importance of protecting the privacy and dignity of young New Jerseyans captured in BWC footage. He stated, “Body-worn cameras have revolutionized police transparency but unfortunately, there are some bad actors who have abused the OPRA system to exploit young individuals in an effort to benefit financially.”
The exploitation of young women on social media, who have been recorded on BWCs during law enforcement encounters, has prompted the need for legislative action. Senator Bucco's bill aims to prevent such exploitation while ensuring that legitimate access to public records by the press and others is not compromised.
According to the provisions of the bill, individuals who have obtained BWC recordings through OPRA are prohibited from disclosing the recordings without the prior written consent of each subject involved. Exceptions are made for disclosures made for legitimate public health or safety purposes, or for a compelling public interest.
The introduction of this bill signifies a proactive step towards safeguarding the privacy rights of young individuals in New Jersey while upholding the principles of transparency and accountability in public records access.