House Passes Bill Protecting Citizen Recordings Of Police

DENVER (AP) - The Colorado House has approved legislation to have law enforcement face civil penalties if an officer destroys or seizes someone's recordings of a public incident.

The bill would require law enforcement to have someone's consent or a warrant to take a recording. Failing to do that would allow people to seek civil damages of up to $15,000 plus attorney fees from a law enforcement agency.

The measure includes an exception for law enforcement to seize a recording under urgent circumstances.

The proposal passed the House Wednesday on a 47-16 vote. It now heads to the Senate.

The Colorado Association of Chiefs of Police said it supports the right of people to record law enforcement activity. But they're concerned about the civil penalties the bill calls for.

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