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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to subpoenas, orders, and warrants for the disclosure of |
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location information, electronic customer communications records, |
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and electronic customer data and for the use of pen registers, ESN |
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readers, cell site simulators, and mobile tracking devices; |
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creating a criminal offense. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Article 18.02, Code of Criminal Procedure, is |
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amended to read as follows: |
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Art. 18.02. GROUNDS FOR ISSUANCE. (a) A search warrant |
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may be issued to search for and seize: |
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(1) property acquired by theft or in any other manner |
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which makes its acquisition a penal offense; |
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(2) property specially designed, made, or adapted for |
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or commonly used in the commission of an offense; |
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(3) arms and munitions kept or prepared for the |
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purposes of insurrection or riot; |
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(4) weapons prohibited by the Penal Code; |
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(5) gambling devices or equipment, altered gambling |
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equipment, or gambling paraphernalia; |
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(6) obscene materials kept or prepared for commercial |
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distribution or exhibition, subject to the additional rules set |
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forth by law; |
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(7) a drug, controlled substance, immediate |
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precursor, chemical precursor, or other controlled substance |
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property, including an apparatus or paraphernalia kept, prepared, |
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or manufactured in violation of the laws of this state; |
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(8) any property the possession of which is prohibited |
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by law; |
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(9) implements or instruments used in the commission |
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of a crime; |
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(10) property or items, except the personal writings |
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by the accused, constituting evidence of an offense or constituting |
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evidence tending to show that a particular person committed an |
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offense; |
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(11) persons; |
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(12) contraband subject to forfeiture under Chapter 59 |
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of this code; |
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(13) electronic customer communications records and |
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electronic customer data held in electronic storage[, including the
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contents of and records and other information related to a wire
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communication or electronic communication held in electronic
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storage]; [or] |
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(14) a cellular telephone or other wireless |
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communications device, subject to Article 18.0215; or |
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(15) location information. |
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(b) For purposes of this article [Subsection (a)(13)]: |
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(1) "Electronic communication" and "wire |
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communication" have the meanings assigned by Article 18A.001. |
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(2) "Electronic customer communications records," |
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"electronic customer data," [and] "electronic storage," and |
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"location information" [storage"] have the meanings assigned by |
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Article 18B.001. |
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SECTION 2. Article 18.06(a), Code of Criminal Procedure, is |
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amended to read as follows: |
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(a) A peace officer to whom a search warrant is delivered |
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shall execute the warrant without delay and forthwith return the |
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warrant to the proper magistrate. A search warrant issued under |
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Article 18B.354, and Articles 18B.222 and 18B.223 if requiring the |
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disclosure of location information, as defined by Article 18B.001, |
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must be executed in the manner provided by Article 18B.355 not later |
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than the 30th [11th] day after the date of issuance. In all other |
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cases, a search warrant must be executed within three days from the |
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time of its issuance. A warrant issued under this chapter, Chapter |
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18A, or Chapter 18B shall be executed within a shorter period if so |
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directed in the warrant by the magistrate. |
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SECTION 3. Article 18B.001, Code of Criminal Procedure, is |
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amended by adding Subdivisions (1-a), (6-a), (9-a), and (9-b) and |
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amending Subdivisions (4), (7), and (8) to read as follows: |
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(1-a) "Cell site simulator" means a device that: |
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(A) locates or identifies a wireless |
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communications device in the immediate vicinity of the simulator by |
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simulating the functions of a wireless telecommunications network |
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transceiver; and |
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(B) is designed to collect location information |
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from the wireless communications device. |
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(4) "Designated law enforcement office or agency" |
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means: |
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(A) the sheriff's department of a county with a |
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population of 3.3 million or more; |
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(B) a police department in a municipality with a |
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population of 500,000 or more; [or] |
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(C) the office of inspector general of the Texas |
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Department of Criminal Justice; |
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(D) a special investigator under Article 2.122 |
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when assisting a peace officer of this state in: |
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(i) apprehending a person charged with an |
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offense under Article 18B.222(b)(2); or |
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(ii) resolving an emergency situation |
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involving: |
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(a) an immediate life-threatening |
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situation; |
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(b) conspiratorial activities |
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characteristic of an imminent threat from violent organized crime; |
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(c) an ongoing attack on a protected |
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computer, as defined by 18 U.S.C. Section 1030, that constitutes an |
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offense under Section 33.02, Penal Code, or an equivalent offense |
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under federal law; or |
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(d) the report of the disappearance of |
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an individual, including the report of a runaway individual younger |
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than 18 years of age, or a report of a suicidal individual, where |
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the report indicates the individual may be in danger based on the |
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circumstances of the disappearance, including circumstances such |
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as the age and mental or physical condition of the individual; or |
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(E) a prosecutor, assistant prosecutor, or a |
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peace officer who is an investigator of a prosecutor's office in a |
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county with a population of more than 800,000. |
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(6-a) "Electronic customer communications records" |
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means data or records, other than location information or |
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electronic customer data, that: |
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(A) are in the possession, care, custody, or |
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control of a provider of an electronic communications service or a |
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provider of a remote computing service; and |
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(B) contain: |
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(i) the content of a wire or electronic |
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communication sent to or by the customer, including: |
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(a) information that identifies by |
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name the recipient or destination of a wire or electronic |
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communication; |
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(b) the draft form of a wire or |
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electronic communication, regardless of whether the communication |
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was sent; or |
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(c) a summary description of the |
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content of a wire or electronic communication, such as file name, |
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subject line, or uniform resource locator; or |
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(ii) the content of files or records owned |
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or possessed by a customer that are stored by the applicable service |
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provider by or on behalf of the customer. |
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(7) "Electronic customer data" means data or records, |
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other than location information or electronic customer |
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communication records, that: |
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(A) are in the possession, care, custody, or |
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control of a provider of an electronic communications service or |
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provider of a remote computing service; and |
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(B) contain: |
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(i) information revealing the identity of |
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customers of the applicable service; |
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(ii) information about a customer's use of |
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the applicable service; or |
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(iii) information that identifies the |
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recipient or destination of a wire or electronic communication sent |
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to or by a customer[;
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[(iv)
the content of a wire or electronic
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communication sent to or by a customer; and
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[(v)
any data stored with the applicable
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service provider by or on behalf of a customer]. |
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(8) "Electronic storage" means storage of electronic |
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customer data, electronic customer communications records, or |
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location information in a computer, computer network, or computer |
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system, regardless of whether the data is subject to recall, |
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further manipulation, deletion, or transmission. The term includes |
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storage of a wire or electronic communication by an electronic |
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communications service or a remote computing service. |
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(9-a) "Immediate life-threatening situation" has the |
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meaning assigned by Article 18A.201. |
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(9-b) "Location information" means data or records, |
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other than information identifying the subscriber or customer or |
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the account with which a wireless communications device is |
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associated or information composed of network transactional access |
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records unrelated to the location of a wireless communications |
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device, that: |
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(A) suggest the physical location of a wireless |
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communications device by identifying the first, intermediate, or |
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last point through which a wire or electronic communication enters |
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or departs the physical infrastructure of an electronic |
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communications system, including data or records commonly known as |
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cell site location information; |
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(B) are created by or accessible to a provider of |
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an electronic communications system and designed to identify the |
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physical location of a wireless communications device, including |
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information commonly known as E911 or precision location |
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information derived through a global positioning system or |
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multi-lateration measurement; or |
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(C) are created by or accessed through the use of |
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a cell site simulator. |
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SECTION 4. Subchapter B, Chapter 18B, Code of Criminal |
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Procedure, is amended by adding Article 18B.0505 to read as |
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follows: |
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Art. 18B.0505. APPLICABILITY. This subchapter and |
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Subchapters C and D do not apply to the use of a cell site simulator. |
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SECTION 5. Article 18B.151, Code of Criminal Procedure, is |
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amended to read as follows: |
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Art. 18B.151. EMERGENCY INSTALLATION AND USE OF PEN |
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REGISTER OR TRAP AND TRACE DEVICE. [(a)
In this article,
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"immediate life-threatening situation" has the meaning assigned by
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Article 18A.201.
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[(b)] A peace officer authorized to possess, install, |
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operate, or monitor a device under Subchapter E, Chapter 18A, may |
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install and use a pen register or trap and trace device if: |
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(1) another peace officer is designated to approve for |
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the authorized peace officer's agency the emergency required |
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disclosure of location information by: |
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(A) the head of the agency; and |
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(B) a district attorney or criminal district |
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attorney with jurisdiction over all or part of the other officer's |
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jurisdiction; and |
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(2) the peace officer described by Subdivision (1) |
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approves the installation and use of a pen register or trap and |
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trace device by reasonably determining that: |
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(A) an emergency situation exists in the |
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territorial jurisdiction of the authorized peace officer, or |
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another officer the authorized officer is assisting, involving: |
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(i) an immediate life-threatening |
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situation; |
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(ii) conspiratorial activities |
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characteristic of an imminent threat from violent organized crime; |
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(iii) if the authorized peace officer is |
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assisting an employee, officer, or agent of the federal government, |
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an immediate threat to a national security interest; |
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(iv) an ongoing attack on a protected |
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computer, as defined by 18 U.S.C. Section 1030, that constitutes an |
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offense under Section 33.02, Penal Code, or an equivalent offense |
|
under federal law; or |
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(v) the report of the disappearance of an |
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individual, including the report of a runaway individual younger |
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than 18 years of age, or a report of a suicidal individual, where |
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the report indicates the individual may be in danger based on the |
|
circumstances of the disappearance, including circumstances such |
|
as the age and mental or physical condition of the individual; |
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(B) installing and using the pen register or trap |
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and trace device may resolve the emergency situation; and |
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(C) [the peace officer reasonably believes:
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[(1)
an immediate life-threatening situation exists
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that:
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[(A)
is within the territorial jurisdiction of
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the peace officer or another officer the peace officer is
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assisting; and
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[(B)
requires the installation of a pen register
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or trap and trace device before an order authorizing the
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installation and use can, with due diligence, be obtained under
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this chapter; and
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[(2)] there are sufficient grounds under this chapter |
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on which to obtain an order authorizing the installation and use of |
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a pen register or trap and trace device. |
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SECTION 6. Article 18B.152, Code of Criminal Procedure, is |
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amended by adding Subsection (c) to read as follows: |
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(c) In the event that at the time of the installation and use |
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of a pen register or trap and trace device under this subchapter it |
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is not readily apparent that any offense has been committed, the |
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judge shall note the exact date and time at which the likelihood |
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that an offense was committed became apparent, if applicable. If, |
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before the conclusion of the emergency or issuance of an order |
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authorizing continued use of the device under Subchapter B it did |
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not become apparent that any offense was committed, the judge shall |
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annotate the order to reflect that: "No affirmative investigative |
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or prosecutive use may be made of any pen register or trap and trace |
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records obtained pursuant to the device's emergency installation or |
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use." |
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SECTION 7. Article 18B.202(c), Code of Criminal Procedure, |
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is amended to read as follows: |
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(c) The affidavit must: |
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(1) state the name, department, agency, and address of |
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the applicant; |
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(2) identify the vehicle, container, or item to which, |
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in which, or on which the mobile tracking device is to be attached, |
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placed, or otherwise installed; |
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(3) state the name of the owner or possessor of the |
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vehicle, container, or item identified under Subdivision (2); |
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(4) state the judicial jurisdictional area in which |
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the vehicle, container, or item identified under Subdivision (2) is |
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expected to be found; and |
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(5) state the facts and circumstances that provide the |
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applicant with probable cause to believe [a reasonable suspicion] |
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that: |
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(A) criminal activity has been, is, or will be |
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committed; and |
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(B) the installation and use of a mobile tracking |
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device will [is likely to] produce: |
|
(i) evidence of the offense; |
|
(ii) the location of contraband, fruits of |
|
the offense, or other items illegally possessed; |
|
(iii) the location of criminal instruments; |
|
(iv) the identity or location of a person to |
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be arrested; or |
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(v) the identity or location of a person |
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being unlawfully restrained [information that is material to an
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ongoing criminal investigation of that criminal activity]. |
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SECTION 8. Article 18B.205, Code of Criminal Procedure, is |
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amended to read as follows: |
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Art. 18B.205. DURATION OF ORDER. (a) An order under this |
|
subchapter expires not later than the 45th [90th] day after the date |
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that the mobile tracking device was activated in place on or within |
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the vehicle, container, or item. |
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(b) For good cause shown, the judge may grant an extension |
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for an additional 45-day [90-day] period. |
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SECTION 9. Chapter 18B, Code of Criminal Procedure, is |
|
amended by adding Subchapter E-1 to read as follows: |
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SUBCHAPTER E-1. WARRANT FOR USE OF CELL SITE SIMULATOR OR REQUIRING |
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DISCLOSURE OF LOCATION INFORMATION |
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Art. 18B.221. APPLICABILITY. This subchapter does not |
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apply to a device used by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, |
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or a person under contract with the department, to detect |
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contraband in a correctional facility. |
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Art. 18B.222. WARRANT FOR USE OF CELL SITE SIMULATOR OR |
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DISCLOSURE OF CERTAIN LOCATION INFORMATION. (a) A district judge |
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may issue a warrant: |
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(1) authorizing the use of a cell site simulator to |
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obtain location information from a cellular telephone or other |
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wireless communications device; or |
|
(2) requiring the disclosure of location information |
|
by a provider of an electronic communications service or a provider |
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of a remote computing service who has possession, care, custody, or |
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control of the information, regardless of whether the location |
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information is held at a location in this state or another state. |
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(b) A district judge may issue a warrant described by |
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Subsection (a) only: |
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(1) except as provided by Article 18B.231, on |
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application by: |
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(A) a prosecutor; or |
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(B) an assistant prosecutor, if applying on |
|
request of: |
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(i) an authorized peace officer |
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commissioned by the department; or |
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(ii) an authorized peace officer of a |
|
designated law enforcement office or agency; and |
|
(2) for the investigation of: |
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(A) an offense under: |
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(i) Section 19.02, Penal Code; |
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(ii) Section 19.03, Penal Code; |
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(iii) Section 20.03, Penal Code; |
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(iv) Section 20.04, Penal Code; |
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(v) Chapter 20A, Penal Code; |
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(vi) Section 21.02, Penal Code; |
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(vii) Section 21.11, Penal Code; |
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(viii) Section 22.01, Penal Code, if the |
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offense is punishable as a felony; |
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(ix) Section 22.011, Penal Code; |
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(x) Section 22.02, Penal Code; |
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(xi) Section 22.021, Penal Code; |
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(xii) Section 22.04, Penal Code; |
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(xiii) Section 22.041, Penal Code; |
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(xiv) Section 28.02, Penal Code; |
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(xv) Section 29.02, Penal Code; |
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(xvi) Section 29.03, Penal Code; |
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(xvii) Section 30.02, Penal Code; |
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(xviii) Chapter 34, Penal Code; |
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(xix) Title 8, Penal Code; |
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(xx) Chapter 43, Penal Code; |
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(xxi) Chapter 481, Health and Safety Code, |
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other than an offense under: |
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(a) Section 481.115(b), |
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481.1151(b)(1), 481.116(b), 481.1161(b)(1), (2), or (3), |
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481.117(b), 481.118(b), or 481.125(d) of that code; or |
|
(b) Section 481.121(b) of that code, |
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if the offense involves not more than one pound of marihuana; |
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(xxii) notwithstanding Subparagraph (xxi), |
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any offense under Chapter 481, Health and Safety Code, involving |
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fentanyl, alpha-methylfentanyl, or carfentanyl, or any derivative |
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of those substances, including any isomer, ester, ether, salt, or |
|
salt of an isomer, ester, or ether of those substances; |
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(xxiii) Chapter 483, Health and Safety |
|
Code; or |
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(xxiv) Chapter 485, Health and Safety Code; |
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(B) a felony under Chapter 71, Penal Code; |
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(C) any sex offense for which a person is subject |
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to registration under Chapter 62 and in which the victim was younger |
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than 18 years of age at the time the offense was committed; |
|
(D) an offense of another jurisdiction in the |
|
United States equivalent to an offense under Paragraph (A), (B), or |
|
(C), regardless of whether the offense was committed in this state |
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or another jurisdiction; or |
|
(E) an emergency situation described by Article |
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18B.231(a)(2)(A). |
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(c) An application under this article must: |
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(1) be made in writing under oath; and |
|
(2) include: |
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(A) the name, department, agency, and address of |
|
the applicant; |
|
(B) the offense being investigated and for which |
|
the application is being made; |
|
(C) the case number or unique identifier assigned |
|
by the law enforcement agency to the investigation of the offense |
|
for which the application is being made; |
|
(D) the name of: |
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(i) the customer or subscriber whose data |
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or device is the subject of the application, if the application |
|
seeks location information related to a particular subscriber or |
|
customer and the name of the customer or subscriber is known to the |
|
applicant; and |
|
(ii) the person who is the subject of the |
|
application, if that person is not described by Subparagraph (i); |
|
(E) the account number or unique identifier that |
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is the subject of the application; and |
|
(F) if the application is requesting |
|
authorization to use a cell site simulator, a description of the |
|
manner and method of deploying the cell site simulator device, |
|
including: |
|
(i) whether the use of the device is likely |
|
to result in the device collecting from a cellular telephone or |
|
other wireless communications device data that is not the subject |
|
of the application; and |
|
(ii) procedures for mitigating the |
|
collection of extraneous data as described by Subparagraph (i). |
|
(d) The accompanying affidavit must contain a statement of |
|
facts and circumstances demonstrating: |
|
(1) probable cause that: |
|
(A) an offense listed in Subsection (b)(2)(A), |
|
(B), (C), or (D) has been, is being, or will be committed; and |
|
(B) the location information being sought or the |
|
use of a cell site simulator will reveal the location of: |
|
(i) evidence of the offense; |
|
(ii) contraband, fruits of the offense, or |
|
other items illegally possessed; |
|
(iii) criminal instruments; |
|
(iv) a person to be arrested; or |
|
(v) a person being unlawfully restrained; |
|
or |
|
(2) that the use of a cell site simulator or the |
|
required disclosure of location information will resolve an |
|
emergency situation described by Article 18B.231(a)(2)(A). |
|
Art. 18B.223. WARRANT FOR CERTAIN LOCATION INFORMATION. |
|
(a) The judge may issue a warrant requiring a provider of an |
|
electronic communications service or a provider of a remote |
|
computing service to disclose location information related to the |
|
commission of an offense based on an application for a warrant |
|
submitted without specifying any customer information required |
|
under Articles 18B.222(c)(2)(D) and (E), provided that the |
|
application: |
|
(1) meets all other requirements of this subchapter; |
|
and |
|
(2) includes: |
|
(A) the location where the offense is alleged to |
|
have been committed; and |
|
(B) each provider on whom the warrant will be |
|
served. |
|
(b) The location information disclosed pursuant to a |
|
warrant issued under this article may not be used to further an |
|
investigation unrelated to the investigation of the offense for |
|
which the warrant application was made, unless an authorized peace |
|
officer, prosecutor, or assistant prosecutor: |
|
(1) makes a separate application to a district judge |
|
to authorize the use of the location information to further an |
|
unrelated investigation; and |
|
(2) states in the application described by Subdivision |
|
(1) specific and articulable facts showing good cause for that use. |
|
(c) Unless authorized by a district judge, a law enforcement |
|
agency holding location information disclosed pursuant to a warrant |
|
issued under this article: |
|
(1) may not commingle: |
|
(A) the location information determined relevant |
|
to the investigation of the offense for which the warrant |
|
application was made; and |
|
(B) the location information determined to be |
|
irrelevant to that investigation; and |
|
(2) must keep separated by the criminal episode or |
|
location each set of location information described by Subdivision |
|
(1)(B). |
|
(d) A district judge may review similar applications for a |
|
warrant under this article and instruct an agency holding |
|
separately the location information under Subsection (c) to compare |
|
the information to determine whether the information is relevant to |
|
the cases or to other locations identified in similar applications. |
|
Art. 18B.224. JURISDICTION. An application under this |
|
subchapter must be filed in a judicial district in which is located: |
|
(1) the headquarters of: |
|
(A) the office of the prosecutor filing an |
|
application under this subchapter; |
|
(B) a law enforcement agency that requests the |
|
prosecutor to file an application for a warrant under this |
|
subchapter or that proposes to execute the warrant, if one is issued |
|
under this subchapter; or |
|
(C) a provider of an electronic communications |
|
service or a provider of a remote computing service holding in |
|
electronic storage location information for which the warrant is |
|
sought; |
|
(2) the site of the proposed use of a cell site |
|
simulator; or |
|
(3) the billing, residential, or business address of |
|
the subscriber or customer of a provider of an electronic |
|
communications service or a provider of a remote computing service |
|
who is the subject of the application. |
|
Art. 18B.225. DURATION OF WARRANT. (a) A warrant issued |
|
under this subchapter authorizing the use of a cell site simulator |
|
is valid for a period not to exceed 30 days. |
|
(b) A warrant issued under this subchapter requiring the |
|
ongoing disclosure of prospective location information by a |
|
provider of an electronic communications service or a provider of a |
|
remote computing service is valid for a period not to exceed 60 |
|
days. |
|
Art. 18B.226. USE OF LOCATION INFORMATION IN UNRELATED |
|
INVESTIGATION PROHIBITED. Except as provided by Article 18B.223(b) |
|
or (d), location information obtained pursuant to a warrant issued |
|
under this subchapter: |
|
(1) may not be used to further an investigation |
|
unrelated to the investigation of the offense for which the warrant |
|
application was made; and |
|
(2) may be used to investigate or prosecute offenses |
|
and defendants related to the offense for which the warrant |
|
application was made. |
|
Art. 18B.227. CERTAIN RESTRICTIONS ON USE OF CELL SITE |
|
SIMULATOR. (a) Under a warrant issued under this subchapter |
|
authorizing the use of a cell site simulator: |
|
(1) if the cell site simulator is used to locate a |
|
known person's wireless communications device, location |
|
information that is derived from the simulator's use and is |
|
irrelevant to locating the device must be deleted on the date the |
|
information was collected; and |
|
(2) unless granted an exception by a district judge to |
|
the requirement described in this subdivision, if the cell site |
|
simulator is used to locate an unknown wireless communications |
|
device, location information that is derived from the simulator's |
|
use and is irrelevant to locating the device must be deleted not |
|
later than the 30th day after the date the simulator is first used, |
|
and not later than the earlier of the following: |
|
(A) at the end of each 30-day period following |
|
the initial 30-day period described by this subdivision; or |
|
(B) the expiration of the warrant. |
|
(b) The district judge who issues a warrant under this |
|
subchapter for the use of a cell site simulator may extend a period |
|
described by Subsection (a) if the applicant for the warrant shows |
|
good cause for the extension. The judge may grant a subsequent |
|
extension only if the applicant shows good cause for the subsequent |
|
extension. An extension granted under this subsection may not |
|
exceed 90 days, unless the judge makes a finding in the record that |
|
the circumstances of the investigation justify an extension longer |
|
than 90 days. |
|
(c) A district judge may not issue a warrant to authorize |
|
using or configuring a cell site simulator for the purpose of, and a |
|
person acting under a warrant issued under this subchapter may not |
|
use or configure a cell site simulator for the purpose of: |
|
(1) intercepting, capturing, or collecting the |
|
content of any electronic communication; or |
|
(2) collecting information on the attendees of a |
|
public gathering who are exercising any right under the First |
|
Amendment to the United States Constitution, including as part of a |
|
protest, demonstration, rally, political meeting, or religious |
|
gathering. |
|
Art. 18B.228. PRESERVATION OF CERTAIN LOCATION |
|
INFORMATION. (a) Location information disclosed by a provider of |
|
an electronic communications service or a provider of a remote |
|
computing service pursuant to a warrant issued under this |
|
subchapter must be preserved by the attorney representing the |
|
state. |
|
(b) As soon as practicable after receiving a timely request |
|
from a defendant, the attorney representing the state shall produce |
|
the location information described by Subsection (a) and permit |
|
inspection and electronic and print duplication of that information |
|
by or on behalf of the defendant. |
|
Art. 18B.229. WARRANTS AND AFFIDAVITS SEALED. |
|
(a) Notwithstanding any other law, other than Subsections (b) and |
|
(c), a district judge issuing a warrant under this subchapter shall |
|
seal the warrant and applicable affidavit. |
|
(b) A judge shall authorize the disclosure of the warrant |
|
and applicable affidavit to: |
|
(1) a defendant, or the attorney representing the |
|
defendant, in a criminal action, if the defendant or attorney makes |
|
a timely request for disclosure; or |
|
(2) the public, if a criminal action has been filed |
|
based on evidence obtained as part of the investigation conducted |
|
under the case number or unique identifier included in the warrant |
|
application and each defendant in that criminal action has been |
|
convicted or acquitted. |
|
(c) A judge authorizing disclosure under Subsection (b) |
|
shall redact all information revealing the identity of cooperating |
|
witnesses, informants, or undercover peace officers. |
|
(d) This article may not be construed to affect any other |
|
right of access to public records or proceedings granted under any |
|
other law. |
|
Art. 18B.230. NOTICE TO SUBSCRIBER OR CUSTOMER. An |
|
authorized peace officer may require a provider of an electronic |
|
communications service or a provider of a remote computing service |
|
to disclose location information without giving the subscriber or |
|
customer notice if the officer obtains: |
|
(1) a warrant under this subchapter and the court |
|
issuing the warrant makes a finding that there is reason to believe |
|
that giving notice under this section may result in: |
|
(A) endangering the life or physical safety of an |
|
individual; |
|
(B) a suspect or defendant fleeing from |
|
prosecution; |
|
(C) the destruction of or tampering with |
|
evidence; |
|
(D) the intimidation of potential witnesses who |
|
may assist an investigation of an offense or testify at a legal |
|
proceeding; or |
|
(E) otherwise jeopardizing an investigation or |
|
unduly delaying a trial; or |
|
(2) the consent of the subscriber or customer. |
|
Art. 18B.231. EMERGENCY USE OF CELL SITE SIMULATOR OR |
|
REQUIRED DISCLOSURE OF LOCATION INFORMATION. (a) Subject to |
|
Subsections (c) and (d), an authorized peace officer may without a |
|
warrant require a provider of an electronic communications service |
|
or a provider of a remote computing service who has possession, |
|
care, custody, or control of location information to disclose the |
|
information, if: |
|
(1) a peace officer in the authorized peace officer's |
|
agency is designated to approve for the agency the emergency |
|
required disclosure of location information by: |
|
(A) the head of the agency; and |
|
(B) a district attorney or criminal district |
|
attorney with jurisdiction over all or part of the agency's |
|
jurisdiction; and |
|
(2) the peace officer described by Subdivision (1) |
|
approves the authorized peace officer's requiring the disclosure of |
|
the information by reasonably determining that: |
|
(A) an emergency situation exists in the |
|
territorial jurisdiction of the authorized peace officer, or |
|
another officer the authorized peace officer is assisting, |
|
involving: |
|
(i) an immediate life-threatening |
|
situation; |
|
(ii) conspiratorial activities |
|
characteristic of an imminent threat from violent organized crime; |
|
(iii) if the authorized peace officer is |
|
assisting an employee, officer, or agent of the federal government, |
|
an immediate threat to a national security interest; |
|
(iv) an ongoing attack on a protected |
|
computer, as defined by 18 U.S.C. Section 1030, that constitutes an |
|
offense under Section 33.02, Penal Code, or an equivalent offense |
|
under federal law; or |
|
(v) the report of the disappearance of an |
|
individual, including the report of a runaway individual younger |
|
than 18 years of age, or a report of a suicidal individual, where |
|
the report indicates the individual may be in danger based on the |
|
circumstances of the disappearance, including circumstances such |
|
as the age and mental or physical condition of the individual; and |
|
(B) requiring the information may resolve the |
|
emergency situation. |
|
(b) Subject to Subsections (c) and (d), an authorized peace |
|
officer of the department or a designated law enforcement office or |
|
agency may without a warrant use a cell site simulator if the head |
|
of the authorized peace officer's agency or that person's designee |
|
approves the authorized peace officer's use of the cell site |
|
simulator by reasonably determining that: |
|
(1) an emergency situation described by Subsection |
|
(a)(2)(A) exists in the applicable judicial district under Article |
|
18B.224; and |
|
(2) use of the cell site simulator may resolve the |
|
emergency situation. |
|
(c) An authorized peace officer who requires disclosure of |
|
location information or uses a cell site simulator under Subsection |
|
(a) or (b) shall: |
|
(1) promptly report the required disclosure of |
|
location information or the use of the simulator to, as applicable: |
|
(A) if using a cell site simulator, the |
|
prosecutor in the county in which the simulator is used; or |
|
(B) if requiring the disclosure of location |
|
information, the prosecutor in the county where the peace officer's |
|
agency is headquartered; and |
|
(2) within 48 hours after providing notice of the |
|
required disclosure or within 48 hours after the use of the |
|
simulator begins, as applicable, obtain a warrant under this |
|
subchapter authorizing the required disclosure or the use of the |
|
simulator. |
|
(d) If a warrant application is denied or is not issued |
|
within the 48-hour period, the peace officer shall delete the |
|
disclosed location information or terminate use of the cell site |
|
simulator promptly on the earlier of the denial of the warrant |
|
application or the expiration of the 48-hour period. |
|
Art. 18B.232. EXECUTION OF WARRANT. Article 18B.355 |
|
applies to the execution of a warrant issued under this subchapter |
|
in the same manner as the article applies to the execution of a |
|
warrant for electronic customer communications records. |
|
Art. 18B.233. WARRANT ISSUED IN ANOTHER STATE. A provider |
|
of an electronic communications service or a provider of a remote |
|
computing service shall comply with a warrant issued in another |
|
state and seeking location information described by Article |
|
18B.222, if the warrant is served on the service provider in a |
|
manner equivalent to the service of process requirements provided |
|
by Article 18B.355(b). |
|
Art. 18B.234. REPORTING REQUIRED. Not later than April 1 of |
|
each year, each law enforcement office or agency employing a person |
|
who applies for a warrant under this subchapter shall annually post |
|
on the Internet website of the office or agency the following |
|
information: |
|
(1) the number of warrants of all persons of the office |
|
or agency who applied for a warrant under this subchapter |
|
requesting authorization for use of a cell site simulator and the |
|
number of those warrants granted to those persons; |
|
(2) the number of warrants of all persons of the office |
|
or agency who applied for a warrant under this subchapter requiring |
|
the disclosure of location information by a provider of an |
|
electronic communications service or a provider of a remote |
|
computing service and the number of those warrants granted to those |
|
persons; |
|
(3) the offense for which each warrant application |
|
under Subdivision (1) or (2) was made; and |
|
(4) the number of persons who were located as a result |
|
of the location information obtained pursuant to a warrant issued |
|
under this subchapter and were charged with a felony. |
|
SECTION 10. Article 18B.351, Code of Criminal Procedure, is |
|
amended to read as follows: |
|
Art. 18B.351. GOVERNMENT ACCESS TO ELECTRONIC CUSTOMER |
|
COMMUNICATIONS RECORDS AND ELECTRONIC CUSTOMER DATA. (a) An |
|
authorized peace officer may require a provider of an electronic |
|
communications service or a provider of a remote computing service |
|
to disclose electronic customer communications records or |
|
electronic customer data that is in electronic storage by obtaining |
|
a warrant under Article 18B.354. |
|
(b) An authorized peace officer may require a provider of an |
|
electronic communications service or a provider of a remote |
|
computing service to disclose [only] electronic customer data [that
|
|
is information revealing the identity of customers of the
|
|
applicable service or information about a customer's use of the
|
|
applicable service,] without giving the subscriber or customer |
|
notice: |
|
(1) by obtaining an administrative subpoena |
|
authorized by statute; |
|
(2) by obtaining a grand jury subpoena; |
|
(3) by obtaining a court order under Article 18B.352; |
|
(4) by obtaining a warrant under Article 18B.354; |
|
(5) by obtaining the consent of the subscriber or |
|
customer to the disclosure of the data; or |
|
(6) as otherwise permitted by applicable federal law. |
|
SECTION 11. Article 18B.352(a), Code of Criminal Procedure, |
|
is amended to read as follows: |
|
(a) A court shall issue an order authorizing disclosure of |
|
electronic customer data related to [contents, records, or other
|
|
information of] a wire or electronic communication held in |
|
electronic storage if the court determines that there is a |
|
reasonable belief that the information sought is relevant and |
|
material to an ongoing criminal investigation [to a legitimate law
|
|
enforcement inquiry]. |
|
SECTION 12. Article 18B.353, Code of Criminal Procedure, is |
|
amended to read as follows: |
|
Art. 18B.353. WARRANT ISSUED IN THIS STATE: APPLICABILITY. |
|
Articles 18B.354-18B.357 apply to a warrant required under Article |
|
18B.351 to obtain electronic customer communications records or |
|
electronic customer data[, including the contents of a wire or
|
|
electronic communication]. |
|
SECTION 13. Articles 18B.354(a), (b), and (c), Code of |
|
Criminal Procedure, are amended to read as follows: |
|
(a) On the filing of an application by an authorized peace |
|
officer, a district judge may issue a search warrant under this |
|
article for electronic customer communications records or |
|
electronic customer data held in electronic storage[, including the
|
|
contents of and records and other information related to a wire or
|
|
electronic communication held in electronic storage,] by a provider |
|
of an electronic communications service or a provider of a remote |
|
computing service described by Article 18B.355(b), regardless of |
|
whether the electronic customer communications records or |
|
electronic customer data is held at a location in this state or |
|
another state. An application made under this subsection must |
|
demonstrate probable cause for the issuance of the warrant and must |
|
be supported by the oath of the authorized peace officer. |
|
(b) A search warrant may not be issued under this article |
|
unless the sworn affidavit required by Article 18.01(b) provides |
|
sufficient and substantial facts to establish probable cause that: |
|
(1) a specific offense has been committed; and |
|
(2) the electronic customer communications records or |
|
electronic customer data sought: |
|
(A) constitutes evidence of that offense or |
|
evidence that a particular person committed that offense, or |
|
reveals the location of a person charged with a felony offense; and |
|
(B) is held in electronic storage by the service |
|
provider on which the warrant is served under Article 18B.355(c). |
|
(c) Only the electronic customer communications records or |
|
electronic customer data described in the sworn affidavit required |
|
by Article 18.01(b) may be seized under the warrant. |
|
SECTION 14. Article 18B.356(c), Code of Criminal Procedure, |
|
is amended to read as follows: |
|
(c) The service provider shall produce all electronic |
|
customer communications records, electronic customer data, |
|
[contents of communications,] and other information sought, |
|
regardless of where the information is held and within the period |
|
allowed for compliance with the warrant, as provided by Subsection |
|
(a) or (b). |
|
SECTION 15. Articles 18B.406(a) and (d), Code of Criminal |
|
Procedure, are amended to read as follows: |
|
(a) Not later than the 14th day after the date a subscriber |
|
or customer receives notice under Article 18B.402, the subscriber |
|
or customer may file a written motion to quash the subpoena or |
|
vacate the court order in the court that issued the subpoena or |
|
court order. The motion must contain an affidavit or other sworn |
|
statement stating: |
|
(1) that the applicant is a subscriber or customer of |
|
the provider of an electronic communications service or the |
|
provider of a remote computing service from which the electronic |
|
customer data held in electronic storage for the subscriber or |
|
customer has been sought; and |
|
(2) the applicant's reasons for believing that the |
|
electronic customer data sought is not relevant and material to an |
|
ongoing criminal investigation [a legitimate law enforcement
|
|
inquiry] or that there has not been substantial compliance with the |
|
provisions of this chapter in some other respect. |
|
(d) The court shall rule on the motion as soon as |
|
practicable after the filing of the peace officer's response. The |
|
court shall deny the motion if the court finds that the applicant is |
|
not the subscriber or customer whose data is the subject of the |
|
subpoena or court order or that there is reason to believe that the |
|
peace officer's inquiry is legitimate and that the data sought is |
|
relevant to that inquiry. The court shall quash the subpoena or |
|
vacate the court order if the court finds that the applicant is the |
|
subscriber or customer whose data is the subject of the subpoena or |
|
court order and that there is not a reason to believe that the data |
|
is relevant and material to an ongoing criminal investigation [a
|
|
legitimate law enforcement inquiry] or that there has not been |
|
substantial compliance with the provisions of this chapter. |
|
SECTION 16. Article 18B.451, Code of Criminal Procedure, is |
|
amended to read as follows: |
|
Art. 18B.451. SUBPOENA AUTHORITY. (a) Except as provided |
|
by Subsection (b), the [The] director of the department or the |
|
director's designee, the inspector general of the Texas Department |
|
of Criminal Justice or the inspector general's designee, or the |
|
sheriff or chief of a designated law enforcement agency or the |
|
sheriff's or chief's designee may issue an administrative subpoena |
|
to a communication common carrier or a provider of an electronic |
|
communications service to compel the production of any carrier's or |
|
service provider's business records: |
|
(1) that: |
|
(A) [(1)] disclose information about: |
|
(i) [(A)] the carrier's or service |
|
provider's customers; or |
|
(ii) [(B)] users of the services offered by |
|
the carrier or service provider; or |
|
(B) are electronic customer data described by |
|
Article 18B.001(7)(B)(iii); and |
|
(2) are material to a criminal investigation. |
|
(b) A person described by Subsection (a) may not compel the |
|
production of business records containing location information or |
|
electronic customer communications records by issuing an |
|
administrative subpoena under Subsection (a). |
|
SECTION 17. Article 18B.501(a), Code of Criminal Procedure, |
|
is amended to read as follows: |
|
(a) An authorized peace officer seeking electronic customer |
|
communications records or electronic customer data under Article |
|
18B.351 may apply to the court for an order commanding the service |
|
provider to whom a warrant, subpoena, or court order is directed not |
|
to disclose to any person the existence of the warrant, subpoena, or |
|
court order. The order is effective for the period the court |
|
considers appropriate. |
|
SECTION 18. Articles 18B.503(a) and (b), Code of Criminal |
|
Procedure, are amended to read as follows: |
|
(a) Except as provided by Subsection (c), an authorized |
|
peace officer who obtains electronic customer communications |
|
records or electronic customer data under Article 18B.351 or |
|
18B.359 or other information under this chapter shall reimburse the |
|
person assembling or providing the records, data, or information |
|
for all costs that are reasonably necessary and that have been |
|
directly incurred in searching for, assembling, reproducing, or |
|
otherwise providing the records, data, or information, including |
|
costs arising from necessary disruption of normal operations of a |
|
provider of an electronic communications service or a provider of a |
|
remote computing service in which the electronic customer |
|
communications records or electronic customer data may be held in |
|
electronic storage or in which the other information may be stored. |
|
(b) The authorized peace officer and the person providing |
|
the electronic customer communications records, electronic |
|
customer data, or other information may agree on the amount of |
|
reimbursement. If there is not an agreement, the court that issued |
|
the order for production of the records, data, or information shall |
|
determine the amount. If a court order was not issued for |
|
production of the records, data, or information, the court before |
|
which any criminal prosecution relating to the records, data, or |
|
information would be brought shall determine the amount. |
|
SECTION 19. Chapter 16, Penal Code, is amended by adding |
|
Section 16.07 to read as follows: |
|
Sec. 16.07. UNLAWFUL USE OF CELL SITE SIMULATOR. (a) In |
|
this section: |
|
(1) "Cell site simulator" has the meaning assigned by |
|
Article 18B.001, Code of Criminal Procedure. |
|
(2) "Communication common carrier" and "electronic |
|
communication" have the meanings assigned by Article 18A.001, Code |
|
of Criminal Procedure. |
|
(b) A person commits an offense if the person knowingly uses |
|
a cell site simulator to locate or identify a wireless |
|
communications device or intercept the content of an electronic |
|
communication. |
|
(c) An offense under this section is a state jail felony. |
|
(d) It is an affirmative defense to prosecution under this |
|
section that the actor: |
|
(1) is an officer, employee, or agent of a |
|
communication common carrier and the actor uses a cell site |
|
simulator in the regular course of business of the carrier for the |
|
purpose of: |
|
(A) protecting property or services provided by |
|
the carrier; or |
|
(B) assisting another whom the actor reasonably |
|
believes to be a peace officer authorized to use a cell site |
|
simulator under Article 18B.222, Code of Criminal Procedure; |
|
(2) is a person authorized to use a cell site simulator |
|
under Article 18B.222, Code of Criminal Procedure, and acted within |
|
the scope of that authorization; or |
|
(3) obtained the effective consent of the owner or |
|
renter of the wireless communications device and the simulator was |
|
not used to commit an offense or other prohibited act. |
|
SECTION 20. Chapter 18B, Code of Criminal Procedure, as |
|
amended by this Act, applies to the disclosure of certain |
|
information by a provider of a wire or electronic communications |
|
service or remote computing service or by a communication common |
|
carrier under a warrant, order, or other legal process on or after |
|
the effective date of this Act. |
|
SECTION 21. This Act takes effect September 1, 2019. |
|
|
|
* * * * * |