Oregon school security camera law

What does Oregon law allow and limit?

A public education program "shall preserve, and may not destroy," any records of a restraint or seclusion incident, including an audio or video recording. The records must be kept in their original format, without any alteration. The program must review any preserved recording at the debriefing meeting after the incident. That meeting must be held within two school days of the incident. By state rule, the parent must be invited to the debriefing meeting where the recording is reviewed, and the recording must be reviewed in full. A "public education program" includes programs under a school district, an education service district or another educational institution or program, that receive or serve students who receive support from programs funded through the Department of Education.

Do parents get to see the video?

Parents must get immediate written notice that a preserved restraint or seclusion record exists. By state rule, that notice must cover photos and audio or video recordings of the incident. When a parent asks, the program must give the parent the preserved records. Where practicable, the program must redact other students' personally identifiable information from what it gives the parent. When the Department of Human Services is investigating the incident as suspected child abuse, the program must give it the preserved records on request.

Can schools record audio?

Oregon's general eavesdropping law bars recording a conversation unless every participant is specifically told it is being recorded; it is not specific to schools.

Is school camera footage a public record?

Public records that would reveal security measures, or weaknesses in them, are exempt from disclosure unless the public interest requires it in a particular case; the law does not name school video. Student records that state or federal law makes exempt are also exempt from public disclosure.

What about cameras on school buses?

State school bus standards say video surveillance cameras "may be mounted" on the front or rear bulkhead or the ceiling, within set requirements. Recording devices and their housings may not be mounted overhead in the passenger compartment. A school district or other education provider, in agreement with a police agency, may contract to put stop-arm cameras on buses to catch drivers who pass a stopped bus. A stop-arm camera may not photograph the driver or students while they are on the bus. The provider must tell those who drive, maintain or work with the bus, and a warning sign must be posted on the bus. A police agency with an agreement may issue a ticket based on the camera's photos or video, after an officer reviews the evidence and signs the citation. Stop-arm images and video may be used only to investigate a violation or a crime. Fine money from a stop-arm camera ticket goes to the education provider that installed the camera. That rule came from HB 2530, which became 2025 Oregon Laws chapter 198, effective January 1, 2026.

What building security rules apply?

Every school is required to have emergency safeguards to protect students and staff. These include school building security policies and procedures; the statute does not mention cameras. The statute covers K-12 public and private schools, including public charter schools. When reviewing building security policies, a school's governing body must consider installing a panic alarm system that works with local 911 call centers; this concerns alarms, not video. This statute was amended by HB 3083, which became Oregon Laws 2025, chapter 208, and amended ORS 336.071, since renumbered ORS 339.408. The Department of Education offers site safety assessments as non-binding guidance.

Are any bills pending?

Oregon's 2026 regular session has adjourned, and the next regular session is in 2027.