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PR26-0563 • 2025

Body-Worn Camera Transparency for Use of Force Emergency Declaration Resolution of 2026

Body-Worn Camera Transparency for Use of Force Emergency Declaration Resolution of 2026

Enacted

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

Sponsor
Pinto
Last action
2026-03-13
Official status
Approved
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not provide specific details on how the resolution affects other law enforcement agencies beyond federal ones.

Body-Worn Camera Video Release During Emergencies

This resolution requires the release of body-worn camera videos from Metropolitan Police Department officers when there is a serious use of force or officer-involved death involving federal agencies.

What This Bill Does

  • Requires the Mayor to release body-worn camera recordings of MPD officers if an officer-involved death or serious use of force involves another agency's officer.
  • Allows for immediate implementation due to emergency circumstances.

Who It Names or Affects

  • Metropolitan Police Department officers
  • The Mayor of Washington, D.C.
  • Federal law enforcement agencies

Terms To Know

Body-Worn Camera Regulation and Reporting Requirements Act of 2015
A law that sets rules for when body-worn camera footage must be released by police officers.
Emergency Declaration Resolution
A type of resolution used to quickly address urgent situations requiring immediate action.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The resolution only applies in cases involving serious use of force or officer-involved deaths.
  • It does not specify what constitutes a 'serious use of force'.

Bill History

  1. 2026-03-13 Council of the District of Columbia LIMS

    Resolution R26-0354, Effective from Mar 03, 2026 Published in DC Register Vol 73 and Page 003790

  2. 2026-03-03 Council of the District of Columbia LIMS

    Retained by the Council

  3. 2026-03-03 Council of the District of Columbia LIMS

    Legislative Meeting

  4. 2026-03-03 Council of the District of Columbia LIMS

    Approved with Resolution Number R26-0354

  5. 2026-03-02 Council of the District of Columbia LIMS

    PR26-0563 Introduced by Councilmember Pinto at Office of the Secretary

Official Summary Text

Body-Worn Camera Transparency for Use of Force Emergency Declaration Resolution of 2026

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
ENROLLED ORIGINAL

1

A RESOLUTION

26-354

IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

March 3, 2026

To declare the existence of an emergency with respect to the need to amend the Body-Worn
Camera Regulation and Reporting Requirements Act of 2015 and Chapter 39 of Title 24
of the District of Columbia Municipal Regulations to require the release of body-worn
camera recordings of Metropolitan Police Department Officers present in the event of an
officer-involved death or serious use of force by a law enforcement officer other than a
Metropolitan Police Department officer.

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That this
resolution may be cited as the “Body-Worn Camera Transparency for Use of Force Emergency
Declaration Resolution of 2026”.

Sec. 2. (a) District residents deserve transparency when there is a serious use of force or
officer-involved death involving federal agencies. Current law requires that the Mayor release
body-worn camera recordings of Metropolitan Police Department (“MPD”) officers present in
the event of an officer-involved death or serious use of force by an MPD officer. However, there
is no such requirement for the release of MPD body-worn camera recordings when the officer-
involved death or serious use of force involves a law enforcement officer from another agency,
including federal officers.
(b) Emergency legislation is necessary to require the release of MPD body-worn
camera recordings and incident details when there is a serious use of force or officer-involved
death involving other law enforcement agencies while an MPD officer is present.

Sec. 3. The Council of the District of Columbia determines that the circumstances
enumerated in section 2 constitute emergency circumstances making it necessary that the Body-
Worn Camera Transparency for Use of Force Emergency Amendment Act of 2026 be adopted
after a single reading.

Sec. 4. This resolution shall take effect immediately.