AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- THE BODY CAMERAS FOR CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES ACT -- THE WILLIE WASHINGTON, JR. ACT (Mandates all department of corrections staff with direct supervision roles to wear body cameras while on duty in their assigned facility.)

S2991

2026 -- S 2991
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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026
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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:
Senators Mack, Kallman, Acosta, Valverde, Ujifusa, and Bell

Date Introduced:
March 04, 2026

Referred To:
Senate Judiciary
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
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SECTION 1. Title 42 of the General Laws entitled "STATE AFFAIRS AND
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GOVERNMENT" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following chapter:
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CHAPTER 56.4
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THE BODY CAMERAS FOR CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES ACT
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42-56.4-1. Short title.

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This act shall be known and may be cited as "The Willie Washington, Jr. Act".
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42-56.4-2. Definitions.

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The following words shall have the following meanings in this chapter:
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(1) "Body camera" means a portable video recording device worn by correctional staff to
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capture incidents occurring in real-time within correctional facilities.
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(2) "Incarcerated individuals" means any person held in custody within a facility operated
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by the department of corrections.
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(3) "Staff" means employees or contractors of the department of corrections, including
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correctional officers, supervisors, and administrators.
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42-56.4-3. Body camera requirements.

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(a) All correctional staff assigned to direct supervision roles shall wear body cameras while
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on duty within the facilities.
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(b) Staff shall activate body cameras during interactions with incarcerated individuals

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including, but not limited to:
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(1) Use of force incidents;
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(2) Transporting individuals;
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(3) Medical emergencies; and
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(4) Disciplinary proceedings.
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(c) Cameras shall record continuously during the aforementioned interactions and shall
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only be deactivated once the situation is resolved and no further actions are anticipated.
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42-56.4-4. Data access and retention.

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(a) Recordings shall be retained for a minimum of sixty (60) days, after which the recording
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shall be securely deleted unless required for an ongoing investigation or legal proceeding.
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(b) Access to recordings is strictly limited to authorized personnel including investigators,
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supervisors, and legal counsel as necessary.
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(c) Incarcerated individuals shall be informed through posted notices regarding the use of
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body cameras within the facility. When practical, individuals shall be notified if recording is
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occurring at the time of the incident. Individuals shall have the right to request review of footage
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that directly involves the individual under appropriate circumstances.
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42-56.4-5. Accountability and oversight.

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(a) The department of corrections shall establish an independent board pursuant to the
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provisions of subsection (b) of this section to oversee the review of recorded incidents involving
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use of force, complaints against staff, or other critical incidents involving incarcerated individuals.
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(b) An independent incident oversight board (IIOB) shall be established, consisting of
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members appointed by key stakeholders, including representatives from civil rights organizations,
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legal experts, mental health professionals, formerly incarcerated individuals, and community
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leaders.
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(c) The IIOB shall:
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(1) Oversee the review of recorded incidents involving use of force, complaints against
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staff, or other critical incidents involving incarcerated individuals and investigate the complaints
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and incidents;
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(2) Conduct periodic assessments and audits of facility operations, policies, and practices;
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and
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(3) Provide recommendations for improvements and reforms to the department of
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corrections based on findings.
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42-56.4-6. Reporting requirement -- Training -- Non-compliance.

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

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detailing the number of incidents recorded, access requests made by incarcerated individuals, and
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incidents reviewed by the incident review board.
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(b) Comprehensive training shall be provided to all staff on the proper use of body cameras,
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data privacy, and the importance of maintaining the dignity and rights of incarcerated individuals.
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(c) Any staff who fail to comply with body camera policies established in this chapter shall
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face disciplinary actions up to and including termination of employment, as well as potential civil
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liabilities.
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(d) The department of corrections shall conduct regular audits to ensure compliance with
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the provisions of this chapter and assess the effectiveness of body camera utilization.
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42-56.4-7. Implementation.

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The department shall implement and establish the necessary protocol and training programs
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within six (6) months after the effective date of this chapter.
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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
***
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This act would mandate all department of corrections staff with direct supervision roles to
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wear body cameras while on duty in their assigned facility.
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This act would take effect upon passage.
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