Signed by Governor Doug Ducey

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that limits civilians' ability to film police.

Highlights:

• Prohibits an individual from recording law enforcement activity if they do not have the permission of the law enforcement officer and is within 8 feet of where the law enforcement activity is occurring (Sec. 1).

• Authorizes an individual to record law enforcement activity if the activity is occurring on their private property unless law enforcement determines that the individual is interfering in law enforcement activity (Sec. 1).

• Authorizes an individual who is the subject of police contact to record the law enforcement activity if they are not interfering with lawful police actions, including (Sec. 1):

• Searching;

• Handcuffing; or

• Administering a field sobriety test.

• Specifies that a violation of this act shall be a petty offense, unless the individual recording fails to comply with a verbal warning or has previously been convicted of this violation, in which case it will be a class 3 misdemeanor (Sec. 1).

• Defines “law enforcement activity” as the following, including (Sec. 1):

• Questioning a suspicious individual;

• Conducting an arrest, issuing a summons, or enforcing the law; or

• Handling an emotionally disturbed or disorderly individual who is exhibiting abnormal behavior.

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that limits civilians' ability to film police.

Highlights:

• Prohibits an individual from recording law enforcement activity if they do not have the permission of the law enforcement officer and is within 8 feet of where the law enforcement activity is occurring (Sec. 1).

• Authorizes an individual to record law enforcement activity if the activity is occurring on their private property unless law enforcement determines that the individual is interfering in law enforcement activity (Sec. 1).

• Authorizes an individual who is the subject of police contact to record the law enforcement activity if they are not interfering with lawful police actions, including (Sec. 1):

• Searching;

• Handcuffing; or

• Administering a field sobriety test.

• Specifies that a violation of this act shall be a petty offense, unless the individual recording fails to comply with a verbal warning or has previously been convicted of this violation, in which case it will be a class 3 misdemeanor (Sec. 1).

• Defines “law enforcement activity” as the following, including (Sec. 1):

• Questioning a suspicious individual;

• Conducting an arrest, issuing a summons, or enforcing the law; or

• Handling an emotionally disturbed or disorderly individual who is exhibiting abnormal behavior.

Full Bill Text