2025 -- H 5928

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2025

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- THE BODY CAMERAS FOR

CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES ACT -- THE WILLIE WASHINGTON, JR. ACT

     Introduced By: Representatives Morales, Ajello, Batista, Hull, Alzate, Craven, Stewart,
Potter, and Hopkins

     Date Introduced: February 28, 2025

     Referred To: House Judiciary

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Title 42 of the General Laws entitled "STATE AFFAIRS AND

GOVERNMENT" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following chapter:

CHAPTER 56.1

THE BODY CAMERAS FOR CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES ACT

     42-56.1-1. Short title.

     This act shall be known and may be cited as "The Willie Washington, Jr. Act".

     42-56.1-2. Definitions.

     The following words shall have the following meanings in this chapter:

     (1) "Body camera" means a portable video recording device worn by correctional staff to

capture incidents occurring in real-time within correctional facilities.

     (2) "Incarcerated individuals" means any person held in custody within a facility operated

by the department of corrections.

     (3) "Staff" means employees or contractors of the department of corrections, including

correctional officers, supervisors, and administrators.

     42-56.1-3. Body camera requirements.

     (a) All correctional staff assigned to direct supervision roles shall wear body cameras while

on duty within the facilities.

     (b) Staff shall activate body cameras during interactions with incarcerated individuals

including, but not limited to:

     (1) Use of force incidents;

     (2) Transporting individuals;

     (3) Medical emergencies; and

     (4) Disciplinary proceedings.

     (c) Cameras shall record continuously during the aforementioned interactions and may only

be deactivated once the situation is resolved and no further actions are anticipated.

     42-56.1-4. Data access and retention.

     (a) Recordings shall be retained for a minimum of sixty (60) days, after which the recording

shall be securely deleted unless required for an ongoing investigation or legal proceeding.

     (b) Access to recordings is strictly limited to authorized personnel including investigators,

supervisors, and legal counsel as necessary.

     (c) Incarcerated individuals shall be informed through posted notices regarding the use of

body cameras within the facility. When practical, individuals shall be notified if recording is

occurring at the time of the incident. Individuals shall have the right to request review of footage

that directly involves the individual under appropriate circumstances.

     42-56.1-5. Accountability and oversight.

     (a) The department of corrections shall establish an independent board pursuant to the

provisions of subsection (b) of this section to oversee the review of recorded incidents involving

use of force, complaints against staff, or other critical incidents involving incarcerated individuals.

     (b) An independent incident oversight board (IIOB) shall be established, consisting of

members appointed by key stakeholders, including representatives from civil rights organizations,

legal experts, mental health professionals, formerly incarcerated individuals, and community

leaders.

     (c) The IIOB shall:

     (1) Oversee the review of recorded incidents involving use of force, complaints against

staff, or other critical incidents involving incarcerated individuals and investigate the complaints

and incidents. Conduct periodic assessments and audits of facility operations, policies, and

practices.

     (2) Provide recommendations for improvements and reforms to the department of

corrections based on findings.

     42-56.1-6. Reporting requirement -- Training -- Non-compliance.

     (a) The department of corrections shall provide biannual reports to general assembly

detailing the number of incidents recorded, access requests made by incarcerated individuals, and

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incidents reviewed by the incident review board.

     (b) Comprehensive training shall be provided to all staff on the proper use of body cameras,

data privacy, and the importance of maintaining the dignity and rights of incarcerated individuals.

     (c) Any staff who fail to comply with body camera policies established in this chapter shall

face disciplinary actions up to and including termination of employment, as well as potential civil

liabilities.

     (d) The department of corrections shall conduct regular audits to ensure compliance with

this legislation and assess the effectiveness of body camera utilization.

     42-56.1-7. Implementation.

     The department shall implement and establish the necessary protocol and training programs

within six (6) months after passage.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- THE BODY CAMERAS FOR

CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES ACT -- THE WILLIE WASHINGTON, JR. ACT

***

     This act would establish the body cameras for correctional facilities act which would

mandate all department of corrections staff with direct supervision rolls to wear body cameras while

on duty in their assigned facility.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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