SB 129

Amends GS 132-1.4 to make booking photographs confidential and not public records, and prohibits public law enforcement agencies from publishing, distributing, or releasing booking photographs (however, allows a public law enforcement agency to release a booking photograph when the photograph is a record of criminal investigation related to a missing person report). Allows a court to order the release of a booking photograph upon a showing by the person requesting disclosure that the disclosure is actually necessary for immediate law enforcement needs. Defines booking photograph as an image of an individual taken by an arresting public law enforcement agency for the purpose of identification or taken when the individual was processed into a jail. Makes technical changes to other defined terms. Effective October 1, 2025.