Texas Senate Bill SB942

Texas 2015 - 84th Regular

Caption

Relating to warrants or orders issued to obtain certain information through installation or use of global positioning system wireless device trackers, international mobile subscriber identity locators, or other devices or equipment, and to public access to law enforcement or prosecutor requests for certain related location or communication information; creating an offense.

Impact

If passed, SB942 will amend the Code of Criminal Procedure in Texas, specifically addressing how warrants are obtained for the monitoring of location data. The legislation is intended to enhance checks and balances on law enforcement's surveillance capabilities, ensuring that citizens' privacy rights are upheld while still enabling effective law enforcement. The bill would create a legal framework that governs not only the acquisition of tracking warrants but also the reporting of their usage, which may impact how local law enforcement agencies operate regarding surveillance practices.

Summary

Senate Bill 942 aims to regulate the use of global positioning system (GPS) wireless device trackers, international mobile subscriber identity locators, and related devices by law enforcement agencies. It establishes specific protocols for obtaining warrants to acquire information from these devices, which include justification for the use of such tracking technology in criminal investigations. The bill also introduces provisions to facilitate the public's access to information regarding law enforcement requests for location data, thus promoting transparency.

Contention

Despite its potential to strengthen legal protections for citizens, SB942 could face opposition regarding the balance between crime control and privacy rights. Advocates of stricter surveillance laws might argue that the regulations could hinder law enforcement's ability to effectively track and apprehend suspects. Additionally, there may be concerns about the implications of increased public access to sensitive law enforcement request data, which could be seen as a threat to ongoing investigations or officer safety. This potential tension between public safety and privacy rights is likely to dominate discussions surrounding the bill.