MN HF103

Government entities are prohibited from seeking, obtaining, borrowing, or purchasing reverse-location data (tracking devices in a geographic area) or reverse-keyword data (identifying who searched specific terms or visited specific websites).

Courts are prohibited from issuing reverse-location or reverse-keyword court orders, including search warrants and subpoenas, and cannot enforce such orders issued by other states.

A narrow exception allows these techniques only during a "sudden emergency" declared by the governor, such as natural disasters, terrorist incidents, or hazardous materials accidents.

Evidence obtained in violation of this section is inadmissible in criminal, civil, or administrative proceedings, and the "inevitable discovery" doctrine cannot be used to circumvent this exclusion.

Individuals whose information is unlawfully obtained may bring civil actions and recover $1,000 per violation or actual damages (whichever is greater), plus punitive damages and attorney fees.