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4/3/2025
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House approves Deputy Speaker Hull’s bill establishing search warrant timeframes for tracking devices
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STATE HOUSE – The House today approved legislation (2025-H 5438) sponsored by Deputy Speaker Raymond A. Hull that would define and dictate the timeframe of a search warrant involving a tracking device.
“As a veteran police officer, I know how valuable search warrants are to protecting the health and safety of the public. With that being said, I am also aware of the potential for abuse and I also firmly believe in the sanctity of an individual’s right to privacy. In order to ensure that search warrants involving tracking devices are effective at stopping crime, while also protecting the rights of the individual, a clear framework must be established when using these devices. This legislation does just that and I believe that it will serve law enforcement and the public equally well,” said Deputy Speaker Hull (D-Dist. 6, Providence, North Providence).
The legislation states that search warrants involving tracking devices would require the date and times of its issuance and the grounds for probable cause for its issuance. Law
enforcement officers would have to complete the installation of the device within a specific period not later than 10 days after the date of the warrant’s issuance.
The warrant must also identify the person or property to be tracked and specify a reasonable length of time that the device may be installed. The timeframe must not exceed 15 days from the date the warrant was issued, and the courts may, for good cause, grant one or more extensions for a reasonable period not to exceed 15 days each.
The legislation now heads to the Senate for consideration, where Sen. Matthew L. LaMountain (D-Dist. 31. Warwick, Cranston) has introduced the legislation (2025-S 0617).
For more information, contact:
Andrew Caruolo, Publicist
State House Room 20
Providence, RI 02903
(401)222-6124
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