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B26-0617 • 2025

Body-Worn Camera Transparency for Use of Force Temporary Amendment Act of 2026

Body-Worn Camera Transparency for Use of Force Temporary Amendment Act of 2026

Firearms Labor
Enacted

This bill passed the Legislature and reached final enactment based on the latest official action.

Sponsor
Pinto
Last action
2026-06-26
Official status
Official Law
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The exact 'effective date' of this law is determined by the Mayor's approval plus a 30-day congressional review period; while metadata suggests June 11, 2026, the text itself relies on that procedural timeline.

Body-Worn Camera Transparency for Use of Force Temporary Amendment Act of 2026

This law requires the public release of names and body-worn camera recordings when an MPD officer is present during a death or serious use of force by any other law enforcement officer.

What This Bill Does

  • Requires releasing the names and body-worn camera recordings of all Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers, as well as available names of other involved law enforcement officers, in incidents where an MPD officer is present during a death or serious use of force by another officer.
  • Mandates that for specific incidents occurring between August 1, 2025, and March 23, 2026, these recordings and incident descriptions be made public within 10 business days after the effective date of this law.
  • Updates reporting rules so that names of all MPD officers and other directly involved law enforcement officers must be included in reports for officer-involved deaths since August 1, 2025.
  • Allows MPD officers to review body-worn camera footage before writing initial reports only if the incident involves a non-MPD officer causing death or serious force prior to March 23, 2026; otherwise, they must not review such footage for report writing.
  • Defines 'law enforcement officer' broadly to include any federal, state, or local government employee authorized to enforce criminal or civil laws.

Who It Names or Affects

  • Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers who are present during incidents involving other law enforcement agencies causing death or serious use of force.
  • Law enforcement officers from federal, state, or local governments whose actions result in death or serious use of force while an MPD officer is nearby.
  • The public, as they gain access to specific body-worn camera recordings and incident descriptions under the new release requirements.

Terms To Know

Body-Worn Camera (BWC)
A video recording device worn by police officers that captures interactions with the public, as referenced in District regulations.
Serious Use of Force
An incident involving significant physical force or weapons by a law enforcement officer, subject to existing reporting requirements.
Law Enforcement Officer
Any employee of the federal government, any state, or local government authorized to prevent, detect, investigate, or supervise violations of criminal or civil laws.

Limits and Unknowns

  • This law expires automatically after 225 days from its effective date.
  • The requirement for MPD officers not to review footage before writing reports applies only if the incident involves a non-MPD officer and occurred before March 23, 2026.

Bill History

  1. 2026-06-26 Council of the District of Columbia LIMS

    Law L26-0139, Effective from Jun 11, 2026 Published in DC Register Vol 73 and Page 008893, Expires on Jan 22, 2027

  2. 2026-05-01 Council of the District of Columbia LIMS

    Act A26-0305 Published in DC Register Vol 73 and Page 006812

  3. 2026-04-29 Council of the District of Columbia LIMS

    Transmitted to Congress

  4. 2026-04-23 Council of the District of Columbia LIMS

    Returned from Mayor

  5. 2026-04-22 Council of the District of Columbia LIMS

    Signed by the Mayor and Enacted with Act Number A26-0305

  6. 2026-04-13 Council of the District of Columbia LIMS

    Transmitted to Mayor, Response Due on Apr 28, 2026

  7. 2026-03-31 Council of the District of Columbia LIMS

    Legislative Meeting

  8. 2026-03-06 Council of the District of Columbia LIMS

    Notice of Intent to Act on B26-0617 Published in the District of Columbia Register

  9. 2026-03-03 Council of the District of Columbia LIMS

    Retained by the Council

  10. 2026-03-03 Council of the District of Columbia LIMS

    Legislative Meeting

  11. 2026-03-02 Council of the District of Columbia LIMS

    B26-0617 Introduced by Councilmember Pinto at Office of the Secretary

Official Summary Text

Body-Worn Camera Transparency for Use of Force Temporary Amendment Act of 2026

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
ENROLLED ORIGINAL
AN ACT

.C.ACT 26-305
IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.
APRIL 22, 2026
To amend,onatemporarybasis,section3004oftheBody-WornCameraRegulationand
ReportingRequirementsAct of 2015 and Chapter39ofTitle 24 of theDistrictof
ColumbiaMunicipalRegulationstorequirethereleaseofbody-worncamerarecordings
ofMetropolitanPoliceDepartmentOfficerspresentintheeventofan officer-involved
deathorserioususeofforcebyalawenforcementofficerotherthanaMetropolitan
PoliceDepartmentofficer.
BEITENACTEDBY THECOUNCILOFTHEDISTRICTOFCOLUMBIA,Thatthisactmaybecitedasthe“Body-WornCameraTransparencyforUseofForceTemporary
AmendmentActof2026”.
Sec.2.Section3004oftheBody-WornCameraRegulationandReportingRequirementsActof2015,effectiveOctober22,2015(D.C.Law21-36;D.C.OfficialCode§5-116.33),is
amendedasfollows:(a)Subsection(c)(2)(A)isamendedasfollows:(1)Sub-subparagraph(i)isamendedasfollows:(A)Sub-sub-subparagraph(I)isamendedtoreadasfollows:
“(1)Thenamesandbody-worcamerarecordingsofallMetropolitanPoliceDepartmentofficers,aswellasthenames,asavailable,ofallotherlawenforcementofficers,directlyinvolvedintheofficer-involveddeathorserioususeofforce;and”.
(B)Sub-sub-subparagraph(II)isamendedbystrikingthephrase“;and”andinsertingasemicoloninitsplace.(2)A newsub-subparagraph(i-1)isaddedtoreadasfollows:“(i-1)Notwithstandingsub-subparagraph(i)ofthissubparagraph,forincidentsoccurringbetweenAugust1,2025,andtheeffectivedateoftheBody-Worn
CameraTransparencyforUseofForceEmergencyAmendmentActof2026,effectiveMarch23,2026(D.C.Act26-282;73DCR 5081)(“Body-WornCameraTransparencyEmergencyAct”),within10businessdaysaftertheeffectivedateoftheBody-WornCameraTranspsarencyEmergencyAct,publiclyrelease:
ENROLLED ORIGINAL
“( Thenamesandbody-worncamerarecordingsofall
MetropolitanPoliceDepartmentofficers,aswellasthenames,asavailable,ofallotherlaw
enforcementofficers,directlyinvolvedintheofficer-involveddeathorserioususeofforce;and
“(II)A descriptionoftheincident;and”.
(3)Sub-subparagraph(ii)isamendedbystrikingthephrase“;and”andinserting
thephrase“;provided,thatforallofficer-involveddeathssinceAugust 1,2025,theinformation
reportedpursuanttothissub-subparagraphshallincludethenamesofallMetropolitanPolice
Departmentofficersaswellasotherlawenforcementofficersdirectlyinvolvedintheofficer-
involveddeath;and”initsplace.
(b)Subsection(e)(1)isamendedtoreadasfollows:
“(@)(1)Foranyincidentinvolvinganofficer-involveddeathdirectlyinvolvinganMPD
officeror serioususeofforce directlyinvolvingan MPD officer,MPD officersshallnotreview
anybody-worncamerarecordingstoassistininitialreportwriting;provided,thatMPD officers
mayreviewbody-worncamerarecordingstoassistin initialreportwritingforincidents
involvinganofficer-involveddeathdirectlyinvolvingalawenforcementofficerotherthanan
MPD officeror serioususe of forcedirectlyinvolvinga law enforcementofficerotherthanan
MPD officerpriortotheeffectivedateoftheBody-WornCameraTranspsarencyEmergency
Act”,
(c)Subsection(g)isamendedasfollows:
(1)New paragraphs(1A)and(1B)areaddedtoreadasfollows:
“(1A)“Lawenforcementofficer”meansanyofficer,agent,oremployeeofthe
United Statesor any stateor localgovernment authorizedby law or by a government agency to
engageinorsupervisetheprevention,detection,orinvestigationofanyviolationofcriminalor
civillaw.

“(1B)“MPD”meanstheMetropolitanPoliceDepartment”.(2)Paragraph(3)isamendedasfollows:
(A)Subparagraph(A)isamendedbystrikingthephrase“MetropolitanPoliceDepartmentofficer”andinsertingthephrase“MPDofficer,oranyotherlawenforcementofficerwhileanMPD officerispresent”initsplace.(B)Subparagraph(B)isamendedbystrikingthephrase“Metropolitan
PoliceDepartmentofficer”andinsertingthephrase“MPDofficer,oranyotherlawenforcementofficerwhileanMPD officerispresent”initsplace.(C)Thelead-inlanguageofsubparagraph(C)isamendedbystrikingthe
phrase“MetropolitanPoliceDepartmentofficer”andinsertingthephrase“MPDofficer,oranyotherlawenforcementofficerwhileanMPD officerispresent”initsplace.(D)Subparagraph(D)isamendedbystrikingthephrase“Metropolitan
PoliceDepartmentcanine”andinsertingthephrase“MPDcanine,orcanineofanyotherlawenforcementofficerwhileanMPD officerispresent”initsplace.
ENROLLED ORIGINAL
Sec.3.Chapter39ofTitle24oftheDistrictofColumbiaMunicipalRegulationsisamendedasfollows:(a)Section3900isamendedasfollows:(1)Subsection3900.9isamendedtoreadasfollows:*3900.9.(a)Foranyincidentinvolvinganofficer-involveddeathdirectlyinvolvingan
MPD memberoraserioususeofforcedirectlyinvolvinganMPD member,MPD membersshallnotreviewanyBWC recordingstoassistininitialreportwriting:provided,thatMPD membersmayreviewbody-worncamerarecordingstoassistininitialreportwritingforincidentsinvolvinganofficer-involveddeathdirectlyinvolvingalawenforcementofficerotherthananMPD memberorserioususeofforcedirectlyinvolvingalawenforcementofficerotherthanan
MPD memberpriortotheeffectivedateoftheBody-WornCameraTransparencyforUseofForceEmergencyAmendmentActof2026,effectiveMarch23,2026(D.C.Act26-282;73DCR5081).“(b)Foranincidentotherthanthosedescribedinparagraph(a)ofthissubsection,membersshallindicate,whenwritinganyinitialorsubsequentreports,whetherthemember
viewedBWC footagepriortowritingthereportandspecifywhatBWC footagethememberviewed.”.(2)Subsection3900.10(a)(1)isamendedasfollows:(A)Sub-subparagraph(A)isamendedasfollows:(i)Sub-sub-subparagraph(i)isamendedtoreadasfollows:
“(i)Thenamesandbody-worncamerarecordingsofallMetropolitanPoliceDepartmentofficers,aswellasthenames,asavailable,ofallotherlawenforcementofficers,directlyinvolvedintheofficer-involveddeathorserioususeofforce;
and”. (ii)Sub-sub-subparagraph(ii)isamendedbystrikingthephrase“;and”andinsertingasemicoloninitsplace.(B)A newsub-subparagraph(A-i)isaddedtoreadasfollows:“(A-i)Notwithstandingsub-subparagraph(A)ofthissubparagraph,for
incidentsoccurringbetweenAugust1,2025,andtheeffectivedateoftheBody-WornCameraTransparencyforUseofForceEmergencyAmendmentActof2026,efffectiveMarch23,2026(D.C.Act26-282;73DCR5081),within10businessdaysaftertheeffectivedateoftheBody-‘WornCameraTransparencyforUseofForceEmergencyAmendmentActof2026,effective
March23,2026(D.C.Act26-282;73DCR 5081),publiclyrelease:“(i)Thenamesandbody-worncamerarecordingsofallMetropolitanPoliceDepartmentofficers,aswellasthenames,asavailable,ofallotherlaw
enforcementofficers,directlyinvolvedintheofficer-involveddeathorserioususeofforce;and“(ii)A descriptionoftheincident;and”.

ENROLLED ORIGINAL
(©)Sub-subparagraph(B)isamendedbystrikingthephrase“;and”and
insertingthephrase“;provided,thatforallofficer-involveddeathssinceAugust1,2025,theinformationreportedpursuanttothissub-subparagraphshallincludethenamesofallMetropolitanPoliceDepartmentofficersaswellasotherlawenforcementofficersdirectlyinvolvedintheofficer-involveddeath;and”initsplace.(b)Section3999.1isamendedbyaddinganewdefinitionbetweenthedefinitionsof
“FOIA”and“Metadata”toreadasfollows:“Lawenforcementofficer”-meansanyofficer,agent,oremployeeoftheUnitedStatesoranystateorlocalgovernmentauthorizedbylaworbyagovernmentagencytoengageinorsupervisetheprevention,detection,orinvestigationofanyviolationofcriminalorcivillaw.”.
Sec.4.Applicability,ThisactshallapplyasofAugust1,2025.
Sec.5.Fiscalimpactstatement.‘TheCounciladoptsthefiscalimpactstatementoftheBudgetDirectorasthefiscalimpactstatementrequiredbysection4aoftheGeneralLegislativeProceduresActof1975,approved
October16,2006(120Stat,2038:D.C.OfficialCode§1-301.47a)..
Sec.6,Effectivedate.(a)ThisactshalltakeeffectfollowingapprovalbytheMayor(orintheeventofvetobytheMayor,actionbytheCounciltooverridetheveto)anda30-dayperiodofcongressional
ENROLLED ORIGINAL.
reviewasprovidedinsection602(c)(1)oftheDistrictofColumbiaHomeRuleAct,approved
December24,1973(87Stat.813;D.C.OfficialCode§ 1-206.02(c)(1)).(b)Thisactshallexpireafter225daysofitshavingtakeneffect.
Chairman
Councilofthe Districtof Columbia

DistrictlofColumbi
APPROVEDAPRIL 22, 2026

COUNCILOF THE DISTRICTOF COLUMBIA

WASHINGTON,DC,20004
DocketNo,826-0617.
[]!TEMONCONSENTCALENDAR
DTACTION FirstReading
[VOTE DATE March3,2026
1X]VOICEVOTE “Approved
RECORDEDVOTEONREQUEST
ABSENT
[]ROLLCALLVOTE—Resuit

onary [Sia arya[yw [Sage [Toa
‘le x veers [x ae
rae x aie xX--IndicateVote AB -Absent NV -Present,NotVoting Rec -Recused
Sera ee
DocketNo.826-0617
{X]ITEMONCONSENTCALENDAR,
[XTACTION FinalReading,CC
Date

[XdVOTEDATE March31,2026
[DdVOICEvoTE ‘Approved
RECORDEDVOTEONREQUEST
ABSENT
[JROLLCALLVOTE~Result

‘CouncMember: Aye| Nay |NV_|AB_|Reo| CouncilMember| Aye| Nay |NV_|AB | Rec| CouncttMember-:|Aye| Nay|NV_}AB| Rec
ChairmanMendelson]X Framin x Pinto
Allen x Henderson x R.White
Bonds x LewisGeorge| X T.white
Crawford x Nadeau x
Felder x Parker x
X-IndicateVote AB =Absent “_NV-Present,NotVoting Rec-Recused
CERTIFICATIONRECORD
SecretarytotheCounc 1 Date