ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) — A Georgia bill moving through the state legislature would limit public access to police body camera and dash camera footage that shows someone dying, sparking debate over family privacy and government transparency.

House Bill 1223 would allow law enforcement agencies to deny open records requests for body camera footage showing someone’s death once investigations close.

Family members, attorney and defendants could still request footage through sworn affidavits, and judges could still order its release, but the general public and press would need to go to court.

Jimmy Hill has spent six years fighting for answers after his son, Jimmy Atchison, was shot and killed by an Atlanta police officer in 2019. In that case, there was no body camera video available. A federal judge ultimately dismissed murder charges against the officer.

“It’s hard to convict a police officer with a body camera,” Hill said, suggesting it would be even harder without one.

Republican supporters say the measure addresses the exploitation of tragic moments for profit.

“People are monetizing people’s deaths. It’s one of the worst days in a family’s life. It’s sickening,” said Joseph Gullett during a committee hearing on the bill.

Republican co-sponsor Rep. Martin Momtahan said no family should see their loved one’s final moments go viral.

“Lord forbid, ever were to happen to my family, having those images online, it’s just heart-wrenching to see that happen,” Momtahan said.

Democratic Rep. Eric Bell opposes the bill, pointing to cases like George Floyd, Rayshard Brooks and Sandra Bland, where public video sparked national outcry and demands for police reform.

“If we never saw the George Floyd tapes, if we never saw the Sandra Bland tapes, we would still be back where families are hoping that this body camera footage was released so that the public can know what’s going on,” Bell said.

The bill remains in the House Judiciary Committee. Sponsors have said there could be potential amendments.

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