Pennsylvania's Senate has passed a bill permitting county probation officers to wear body cameras, sending the measure to Governor Josh Shapiro's desk, the bill's sponsor announced on Wednesday.

House Bill 2299, introduced by Rep. Ryan Bizzarro (D-Erie), amends Pennsylvania's Wiretap Act to allow county probation officers to be equipped with body cameras. The Pennsylvania House said the Senate passed it on Wednesday after it overwhelmingly passed the House in July; WiseVoter reported the Senate vote was 42-8.

Bizzarro said the change would increase the safety of the community and law enforcement while promoting transparency, providing an objective record of interactions. He began working on the bill with advocates in Erie after Marchello Woodard, 43, was fatally shot by his state parole officer during a compliance check; state parole officers were already permitted to wear body cameras, but that officer was not wearing one at the time, the House statement said.

The ACLU of Pennsylvania opposes HB 2299, arguing that body cameras in probation settings raise privacy concerns, including for children as young as 10 under county supervision and for third parties recorded during home and treatment visits. The bill now awaits the governor's consideration.