HEA 1009 Summary

• Requires law enforcement to obtain a search warrant before using unmanned aerial vehicles for surveillance, with exceptions for exigent circumstances, terrorist threats, search and rescue operations, disaster response, and non-criminal surveys.

• Mandates law enforcement obtain court orders based on probable cause before using real-time tracking instruments on cellular devices; if exigent circumstances allow warrantless use, a court order must be sought within 72 hours.

• Prohibits law enforcement from compelling users to provide passwords, passphrases, or keycodes to access electronic communications or stored data without a valid search warrant.

• Establishes that placing cameras or electronic surveillance equipment on private property without owner consent is a Class A misdemeanor, with exceptions for law enforcement with warrants or consent.

• Provides immunity from civil or criminal liability for electronic communication service, remote computing service, and geolocation information service providers who comply with court orders.

• Requires notice to news media entities or journalists when search warrants seek their communications or information, unless notice would compromise a criminal investigation.