S T A T E O F N E W Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________
3306
2023-2024 Regular Sessions
I N A S S E M B L Y
February 2, 2023
___________
Introduced by M. of A. SOLAGES, L. ROSENTHAL, EPSTEIN, HYNDMAN, OTIS,
SIMON, JACKSON, SEAWRIGHT, HEVESI, WALKER, DICKENS, HUNTER, FORREST,
MAMDANI, TAYLOR, AUBRY, CARROLL -- read once and referred to the
Committee on Codes
AN ACT to amend the criminal procedure law, in relation to prohibiting
the search, with or without a warrant, of geolocation and keyword data
of a group of people who are under no individual suspicion of having
committed a crime, but rather are defined by having been at a given
location at a given time or searched particular words, phrases, char-
acter strings, or websites
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Short title. This act shall be known and may be cited as
the "reverse location and reverse keyword search prohibition act".
§ 2. The criminal procedure law is amended by adding a new article 695
to read as follows:
ARTICLE 695
REVERSE LOCATION AND REVERSE KEYWORD SEARCHES
SECTION 695.00 DEFINITIONS.
695.10 ISSUANCE OF REVERSE LOCATION COURT ORDERS AND REVERSE
KEYWORD COURT ORDERS.
695.20 EXECUTION OF REVERSE LOCATION AND REVERSE KEYWORD SEARCH-
ES.
695.30 REVERSE LOCATION AND REVERSE KEYWORD SEARCHES;
SUPPRESSION OF EVIDENCE.
695.40 REVERSE LOCATION AND REVERSE KEYWORD SEARCHES; PRIVATE
RIGHT OF ACTION.
695.50 PHYSICAL SEARCHES EXCLUDED.
695.60 SEVERABILITY.
§ 695.00 DEFINITIONS.
EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD01981-01-3
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AS USED IN THIS ARTICLE, THE FOLLOWING TERMS SHALL HAVE THE FOLLOWING
MEANINGS:
1. "GOVERNMENT ENTITY" SHALL MEAN ANY DEPARTMENT OR AGENCY OF THE
STATE OR ANY POLITICAL SUBDIVISION THEREOF, OR ANY INDIVIDUAL ACTING FOR
OR ON BEHALF OF THE STATE OR A POLITICAL SUBDIVISION THEREOF.
2. "PERSON" MEANS A NATURAL PERSON OR A LEGAL ENTITY, INCLUDING BUT
NOT LIMITED TO A PROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP, LIMITED PARTNERSHIP,
CORPORATION, COMPANY, LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY OR CORPORATION, ASSOCI-
ATION, OR OTHER FIRM OR SIMILAR BODY, OR ANY UNIT, DIVISION, AGENCY,
DEPARTMENT, OR SIMILAR SUBDIVISION THEREOF.
3. "REVERSE KEYWORD COURT ORDER" MEANS ANY COURT ORDER, INCLUDING A
SEARCH WARRANT, COMPELLING THE DISCLOSURE OF RECORDS OR INFORMATION
IDENTIFYING ANY UNNAMED PERSONS, BY NAME OR OTHER UNIQUE IDENTIFIER, WHO
ELECTRONICALLY SEARCHED FOR PARTICULAR WORDS, PHRASES, CHARACTER
STRINGS, OR WEBSITES, OR WHO VISITED A PARTICULAR WEBSITE THROUGH A LINK
GENERATED BY SUCH A SEARCH, REGARDLESS OF WHETHER OR NOT THE ORDER IS
LIMITED TO A SPECIFIC GEOGRAPHIC AREA OR TIME FRAME.
4. "REVERSE LOCATION COURT ORDER" MEANS ANY COURT ORDER, INCLUDING A
SEARCH WARRANT, COMPELLING THE DISCLOSURE OF RECORDS OR INFORMATION
PERTAINING TO ELECTRONIC DEVICES OR THEIR USERS OR OWNERS, WHOSE SCOPE
EXTENDS TO AN UNKNOWN NUMBER OF ELECTRONIC DEVICES PRESENT IN A GIVEN
GEOGRAPHIC AREA AT A GIVEN TIME AS MEASURED VIA GLOBAL POSITIONING
SYSTEM COORDINATES, CELL TOWER CONNECTIVITY, WI-FI DATA AND/OR ANY OTHER
FORM OF LOCATION DETECTION.
5. "VOLUNTARY REVERSE KEYWORD REQUEST" MEANS ANY REQUEST IN THE
ABSENCE OF A COURT ORDER, BY ANY GOVERNMENT ENTITY FOR THE PROVISION OF
RECORDS OR INFORMATION IDENTIFYING ANY UNNAMED PERSONS, BY NAME OR OTHER
UNIQUE IDENTIFIER, WHO ELECTRONICALLY SEARCHED FOR PARTICULAR WORDS,
PHRASES, CHARACTER STRINGS, OR WEBSITES, OR WHO VISITED A PARTICULAR
WEBSITE THROUGH A LINK GENERATED BY SUCH A SEARCH, REGARDLESS OF WHETHER
OR NOT THE ORDER IS LIMITED TO A SPECIFIC GEOGRAPHIC AREA OR TIME FRAME.
6. "VOLUNTARY REVERSE LOCATION REQUEST" MEANS ANY REQUEST IN THE
ABSENCE OF A COURT ORDER BY ANY GOVERNMENT ENTITY FOR RECORDS OR INFOR-
MATION PERTAINING TO ELECTRONIC DEVICES OR THEIR USERS OR OWNERS, WHOSE
SCOPE EXTENDS TO AN UNKNOWN NUMBER OF ELECTRONIC DEVICES PRESENT IN A
GIVEN GEOGRAPHIC AREA AT A GIVEN TIME, WHETHER SUCH DEVICE LOCATION IS
MEASURED VIA GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM COORDINATES, CELL TOWER CONNEC-
TIVITY, WI-FI DATA AND/OR ANY OTHER FORM OF LOCATION DETECTION.
§ 695.10 ISSUANCE OF REVERSE LOCATION COURT ORDERS AND REVERSE KEYWORD
COURT ORDERS.
NO COURT SHALL ISSUE A REVERSE LOCATION COURT ORDER OR A REVERSE
KEYWORD COURT ORDER.
§ 695.20 EXECUTION OF REVERSE LOCATION AND REVERSE KEYWORD SEARCHES.
1. NO GOVERNMENT ENTITY SHALL SEEK, FROM ANY COURT, A REVERSE LOCATION
COURT ORDER OR A REVERSE KEYWORD COURT ORDER.
2. NO GOVERNMENT ENTITY SHALL MAKE A VOLUNTARY REVERSE LOCATION
REQUEST OR A VOLUNTARY AND REVERSE KEYWORD REQUEST.
3. NO GOVERNMENT ENTITY SHALL SEEK, SECURE, OBTAIN, BORROW, PURCHASE,
USE, OR REVIEW ANY INFORMATION OR DATA OBTAINED THROUGH A REVERSE
LOCATION COURT ORDER, A REVERSE KEYWORD COURT ORDER, A VOLUNTARY REVERSE
LOCATION REQUEST, OR A VOLUNTARY KEYWORD REQUEST.
4. NO GOVERNMENT ENTITY SHALL SEEK THE ASSISTANCE OF ANY NON-GOVERN-
MENTAL ENTITY, ANY AGENCY OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, OR ANY AGENCY OF
THE GOVERNMENT OF ANOTHER STATE OR SUBDIVISION THEREOF IN OBTAINING
INFORMATION OR DATA FROM A REVERSE LOCATION COURT ORDER, REVERSE KEYWORD
COURT ORDER, REVERSE LOCATION REQUEST, OR REVERSE KEYWORD REQUEST IF THE
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GOVERNMENT ENTITY WOULD BE BARRED FROM DIRECTLY SEEKING SUCH INFORMATION
UNDER THIS ARTICLE.
5. NOTWITHSTANDING ANY STATE OR LOCAL LAW, REGULATION, OR AGREEMENT TO
THE CONTRARY, NO COURT OR GOVERNMENT ENTITY OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, OR
POLITICAL SUBDIVISION THEREOF, SHALL SUPPORT, ASSIST, OR ENFORCE A
REVERSE LOCATION COURT ORDER OR REVERSE KEYWORD COURT ORDER ISSUED BY
THE STATE OF NEW YORK OR A POLITICAL SUBDIVISION THEREOF, OR ANY OTHER
STATE OR A POLITICAL SUBDIVISION THEREOF, INCLUDING THE DOMESTICATION OF
ANY SUCH COURT ORDER.
6. NOTWITHSTANDING ANY STATE OR LOCAL LAW, REGULATION, OR AGREEMENT TO
THE CONTRARY, NO PERSON OR ENTITY IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK, AS A RESULT
OF ANY LAW, REGULATION, OR AGREEMENT ADOPTED BY THE STATE OF NEW YORK OR
ANY POLITICAL SUBDIVISION THEREOF, SHALL BE OBLIGATED TO COMPLY WITH A
REVERSE LOCATION COURT ORDER OR A REVERSE KEYWORD COURT ORDER ISSUED BY
THE STATE OF NEW YORK OR A POLITICAL SUBDIVISION THEREOF OR ANY OTHER
STATE OR A POLITICAL SUBDIVISION THEREOF.
§ 695.30 REVERSE LOCATION AND REVERSE KEYWORD SEARCHES; SUPPRESSION OF
EVIDENCE.
1. UPON MOTION FROM A DEFENDANT, A COURT SHALL ORDER THAT EVIDENCE BE
SUPPRESSED OR EXCLUDED IF THE COURT FINDS THAT SUCH EVIDENCE:
(A) CONSISTS OF A RECORD ACQUIRED VIA A REVERSE LOCATION COURT ORDER,
REVERSE KEYWORD COURT ORDER, VOLUNTARY REVERSE LOCATION REQUEST, OR
VOLUNTARY REVERSE KEYWORD REQUEST; OR
(B) WAS OBTAINED AS A RESULT OF OTHER EVIDENCE OBTAINED UNDER A
REVERSE LOCATION COURT ORDER, REVERSE KEYWORD COURT ORDER, VOLUNTARY
REVERSE LOCATION REQUEST, OR VOLUNTARY REVERSE KEYWORD REQUEST.
2. THIS SECTION SHALL APPLY REGARDLESS OF THE COURT WHICH ISSUED THE
ORDER AND REGARDLESS OF WHETHER THE ISSUANCE OF THE ORDER WAS PERMISSI-
BLE UNDER THE PROCEDURES OF THAT COURT.
3. THIS SECTION SHALL APPLY REGARDLESS OF ANY CLAIM THAT THE INFORMA-
TION OR EVIDENCE IS ATTENUATED FROM AN UNLAWFUL ORDER OR REQUEST, WOULD
INEVITABLY HAVE BEEN DISCOVERED, OR WAS SIMULTANEOUSLY OR SUBSEQUENTLY
OBTAINED OR REOBTAINED THROUGH OTHER MEANS.
§ 695.40 REVERSE LOCATION AND REVERSE KEYWORD SEARCHES; PRIVATE RIGHT OF
ACTION.
1. ANY INDIVIDUAL WHOSE RECORDS WERE OBTAINED BY ANY GOVERNMENT ENTITY
IN VIOLATION OF SECTION 695.20 OF THIS ARTICLE MAY INSTITUTE A CIVIL
ACTION AGAINST SUCH GOVERNMENT ENTITY FOR ANY OR ALL OF THE FOLLOWING:
(A) ONE THOUSAND DOLLARS PER VIOLATION OR ACTUAL DAMAGES, WHICHEVER IS
GREATER.
(B) PUNITIVE DAMAGES.
(C) INJUNCTIVE OR DECLARATORY RELIEF.
(D) ANY OTHER RELIEF THE COURT DEEMS PROPER.
2. IN ASSESSING THE AMOUNT OF PUNITIVE DAMAGES, THE COURT SHALL
CONSIDER:
(A) THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHOSE INFORMATION WAS DISCLOSED;
(B) WHETHER THE VIOLATION DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY TARGETED PERSONS
ENGAGED IN THE EXERCISE OF ACTIVITIES PROTECTED BY THE CONSTITUTION OF
THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA OR THE CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF NEW
YORK; AND
(C) THE PERSISTENCE OF VIOLATIONS BY THE PARTICULAR GOVERNMENT ENTITY.
3. IN ANY ACTION BROUGHT UNDER THIS SECTION, THE COURT SHALL AWARD
REASONABLE ATTORNEYS' FEES, EXPENSES AND COSTS TO A PREVAILING PLAIN-
TIFF.
§ 695.50 PHYSICAL SEARCHES EXCLUDED.
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THE FOREGOING LIMITATIONS SHALL NOT APPLY TO THE SEARCH OF ANY ELEC-
TRONIC DEVICE LAWFULLY SEIZED AND/OR SEARCHED PURSUANT TO A SEARCH
WARRANT ISSUED UNDER ARTICLE SIX HUNDRED NINETY OF THIS TITLE.
§ 695.60 SEVERABILITY.
THE PROVISIONS OF THIS ARTICLE ARE SEVERABLE. IF ANY PART OR PROVISION
OF THIS ARTICLE, OR THE APPLICATION OF THIS ARTICLE TO ANY PERSON, ENTI-
TY, OR CIRCUMSTANCE, IS HELD INVALID, THE REMAINDER OF THIS ARTICLE,
INCLUDING THE APPLICATION OF SUCH PART OR PROVISION TO OTHER PERSONS,
ENTITIES, OR CIRCUMSTANCES, SHALL NOT BE AFFECTED BY SUCH HOLDING AND
SHALL CONTINUE TO HAVE FORCE AND EFFECT.
§ 3. This act shall take effect immediately.