On February 22, 2026, Ohio Governor John Thompson signed into law a controversial bill that will restrict public access to police body camera footage. The bill, known as SB 126, aims to protect the privacy of individuals captured in the recordings while still allowing for transparency in law enforcement activities.Under the new law, police departments in Ohio are required to retain body camera footage for a minimum of 30 days before it can be released to the public. In cases where the footage contains sensitive or graphic content, such as incidents of violence or nudity, the release of the footage can be delayed pending a court order.Additionally, the law prohibits the release of body camera footage if it contains information that could compromise an ongoing investigation or jeopardize the safety of an individual involved. Access to the footage will also be restricted in cases where minors are depicted, unless consent is given by a legal guardian.Supporters of SB 126 argue that the law strikes a balance between the need for transparency in law enforcement and the protection of individual privacy rights. They believe that the provisions in the bill will help maintain public trust in the police while also preventing the exploitation of sensitive footage for entertainment or social media purposes.However, critics of the law have expressed concerns about its potential to shield law enforcement from accountability and hinder efforts to hold officers accountable for misconduct. They argue that limiting public access to body camera footage could prevent the full story of police interactions from coming to light and impede efforts to prevent police abuse.Despite the controversy surrounding SB 126, Governor Thompson defended the law as a necessary measure to protect the privacy rights of individuals captured in body camera footage. He emphasized that the bill was crafted with input from law enforcement agencies, civil rights organizations, and privacy advocates to ensure that it strikes a fair balance between transparency and privacy.The implementation of SB 126 is set to go into effect on March 1, 2026, with police departments across Ohio expected to comply with the new restrictions on the release of body camera footage. As the law takes effect, both supporters and critics will be closely monitoring its impact on transparency and accountability in law enforcement in the state.