HB659 Summary

• Requires governmental entities to obtain valid search warrants issued by a judge or magistrate with jurisdiction over the offense before accessing stored electronic communications or customer data from service providers.

• Establishes procedures for foreign corporations providing electronic communication or remote computing services to produce records within five business days of receiving a properly served warrant, with ability to seek expedited or extended timelines based on cause.

• Requires Alabama corporations to comply with warrants issued by courts in other states for stored communications as if issued by Alabama courts.

• Prohibits service providers from knowingly disclosing stored electronic communications contents except to intended recipients, with lawful consent, for crime reporting, emergency situations, or when authorized by warrant.

• Provides civil remedies for violations including preliminary injunctions, actual damages with minimum recovery of $1,000, attorney's fees, and punitive damages if violation involved oppression, fraud, wantonness, or malice.