Dictates the length a search warrant involving a tracking device would be valid and provide a process to extend the time frame of the tracking device for good cause.

Rhode Island Bill Summary: Search Warrants for Tracking Devices

This bill sets clear rules about how long law enforcement can use a tracking device — such as a GPS tracker placed on a vehicle or other property — under a search warrant. Currently, Rhode Island law may not specify a firm time limit for these types of warrants. This bill would establish a defined window of time during which a tracking device warrant is valid, meaning police could only use the tracker for that set period before the warrant expires.

The bill also creates a formal process for law enforcement to request more time if they have a good reason — often called "good cause" — to keep tracking beyond the original deadline. To extend the surveillance period, officers would need to go back to a judge and justify why additional time is needed. This is designed to ensure that a neutral judge, rather than law enforcement alone, decides whether continued tracking is appropriate.

This bill would primarily affect law enforcement agencies that use tracking devices during criminal investigations, as well as individuals who may be subjects of such investigations. For everyday Rhode Islanders, the bill is meant to add a layer of oversight and accountability to how and how long the government can monitor someone's movements or location using a tracking device. It aims to balance law enforcement's investigative needs with individuals' privacy rights.

The bill was introduced in the Rhode Island House and referred to the House Judiciary Committee, which has recommended holding it for further study while a hearing is scheduled for March 2026.