INDIANAPOLIS – A Senate committee is looking at making significant changes to a bill setting regulations on the release of police body and dashboard camera videos.

The Senate Judiciary Committee heard testimony Wednesday but decided to wait on a vote until next week.

House Bill 1019 gives police discretion over whether to release the video and makes it impossible for members of the public and media to obtain the information without a court battle. It would be slightly easier for someone in the video – or the estate of the deceased – to view, but not copy, the video.

"This law is still putting the video in the hands of the police to make a decision about whether I should be able to see the last few minutes of my husband’s life on this earth," said Debbie Long, whose husband, Mack, was shot dead by Indianapolis police last year.

"I don’t see how that is transparent."

She also noted that if she wants the world to see her husband’s death it should be up to her.

In that case, the video was actually gathered by police from a witness using a cellphone camera. There were questions Wednesday about whether the law should apply only to video shot using public resources or should extend to other video procured during an investigation.

Sen. Brent Steele, R-Bedford, drafted an amendment that would expedite the process to obtain a court order for the release of a law enforcement recording.

It also said that a "recording that depicts the use of force by a law enforcement officer, or that depicts an alleged civil rights violation, tortious act, or other unlawful act by a law enforcement officer, serves the public interest."

This added language would make it easier to prove to a judge the video should be released.

"The amendment you are proposing goes a long way," said Dave Crooks, a former House member and radio broadcaster from southern Indiana.

He said right now the bill leaves too much up to personality – noting one police chief might regularly release video but a new election could shut it down completely.

Sen. Greg Taylor, D-Indianapolis, said the concern is about how the media will use the video – not the family of someone impacted. But he said the media hasn’t been irresponsible with such recordings.

"Where is the bogeyman?" he asked. "In most cases, the video probably will exonerate more than implicate the police officer."

nkelly@jg.net