US SB2522

Law enforcement agencies must obtain a warrant before using cell-site simulators (devices that mimic cell towers to track phones and intercept communications), with courts required to verify that other investigative methods have failed or are too dangerous

Violations carry fines up to $250,000, and evidence obtained through unauthorized cell-site simulator use is inadmissible in court proceedings

Emergency exceptions allow warrantless use for immediate threats of death, serious injury, organized crime, or national security emergencies, but agencies must apply for a warrant within 48 hours

Warrant applications must disclose potential disruption to emergency 911 calls, suicide hotlines, poison control, and other communications, with independent lab certification verifying the accuracy of these disclosures

Intelligence community use of cell-site simulators targeting U.S. persons outside the country requires compliance with the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, and annual Inspector General reports to Congress on cell-site simulator usage are mandated