ATLANTA – State Representative Sandra Scott (D-Rex), Viola Davis (D-Stone Mountain) and Kim Schofield (D-Atlanta) will continue to work to advance bipartisan support for House Bill 107, the Police Accountability Act. Introduced during the 2023 legislative session, HB 107 would require all law enforcement agencies to provide a body-worn camera to every officer and require such body cameras be turned on during interactions with the public.
“Citizens across our state are calling for police accountability, and the cries are even louder in metro Atlanta following the killing of activist Manuel Paez Terán,” said Rep. Scott. “I want to commend our partners in the Atlanta City Council for passing a resolution for mandatory body cameras for state police. HB 107 would answer these calls for greater transparency and accountability for every police interaction. This legislation would make a difference in our state. It would protect both police officers and the public.”
Starting July 2025, the Police Accountability Act would require all law enforcement officers wear and turn on these body cameras during every interaction with the public. This bill would also require the public release of certain video and audio recordings captured by body-worn cameras, as well as annual public reporting by the attorney general regarding use of force, contact and unannounced entry by peace officers. The current version of HB 107 also provides standards for the response of peace officers to protests or demonstrations and removes qualified immunity.
While the 2023 legislative session has adjourned, these Democratic legislators remain positive about the bill’s future based on recent events, such as the Atlanta City Council passing a local resolution urging all state police to begin wearing body cameras.
Reps. Scott, Davis and Schofield also plan to work with the legislature’s budget writers to identify funding to provide body-worn cameras to state officers and to help local law enforcement agencies purchase this equipment. The Fiscal Year 2024 budget, which begins this July, includes funding for pay increases for state troopers, and they remain optimistic that lawmakers could fund body-worn cameras for state officers.
“With concerns about the cost of body-worn cameras, we have no doubt that the state can locate the funding for the protection and safety of the public and law enforcement,” said Rep. Davis. “We need to pass common sense legislation to restore and rebuild public trust in law enforcement without a human tragedy being the catalyst in Georgia. Georgians need their lawmakers to put the public first to ensure police officers are preventing and protecting the public from tragedies – not causing tragedies. HB 107 would balance safety and protection for the public and law enforcement.”
Reps. Scott, Davis and Schofield also hope to build upon the successful passage of Georgia’s historic Hate Crimes law and citizen’s arrest statute repeal in 2021. They urge their fellow lawmakers to join a broad coalition of support to pass the Police Accountability Act.
“Democrats and Republicans have proven that it is still possible to work together to pass historic legislation that restores public trust, increases transparency and secures accountability,” said Rep. Schofield. “It’s time to equip law enforcement and peace officers with innovative technology that builds this trust. While some might oppose this kind of transparency, many Democrats and Republicans agree that HB 107 is a step in the right direction. I am proud that the City of Atlanta has paved the way and hope that all of our local governing bodies pass local legislation requiring their law enforcement to wear body cameras.”
In February, Atlanta News First reported that the Police Accountability Act had the expressed support of both Democratic and Republican lawmakers.
*Editor’s Note: A graphic featuring these legislators’ headshots is attached.
Representative Viola Davis represents the citizens of District 87, which includes portions of DeKalb County. She was elected to the House of Representatives in 2018 and currently serves on the Defense & Veterans Affairs, Insurance, Interstate Cooperation, Natural Resources & Environment and Urban Affairs committees.
Representative Sandra Scott represents the citizens of District 76, which includes portions of Clayton County. She was elected to the House of Representatives in 2010 and currently serves as the Minority Caucus Chief Deputy Whip. She also serves on the Banks & Banking, Defense & Veterans Affairs, Human Relations & Aging, Insurance and Reapportionment and Redistricting committees.
Representative Kim Schofield represents the citizens of District 63, which includes portions of Fulton County. She was elected to the House of Representatives in 2017 and currently serves as the Secretary of the Urban Affairs Committee. She also serves on the Creative Arts & Entertainment, Health, Interstate Cooperation and Small Business Development committees.
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