JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon has signed a bill into law that will restrict access to video from police car dashboard and body cameras.
Nixon signed legislation Friday that will restrict public access to video footage until investigations are finished.
It also allows recordings in nonpublic areas to be restricted except to those in the videos. People who want to view restricted police videos will need to go to court.
Proponents argued guidance on access to police footage will encourage police departments to adopt body cameras. Nixon said it’s a balanced approach that provides needed clarity to current law.
Nixon also vetoed a bill to limit public access to some agricultural data.
Transparency advocates had raised concerns that several proposals chipping away at state open records laws could reduce accountability.