CRIMINAL PROCEDURE -- SEARCH WARRANTS, the official text

H7433 2026 -- H 7433 ======== LC004521 ======== STATE OF RHODE ISLAND IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026 ____________ A N A C T RELATING TO CRIMINAL PROCEDURE -- SEARCH WARRANTS Introduced By: Representatives Place, and J. Lombardi Date Introduced: January 30, 2026 Referred To: House Judiciary It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows: 1 SECTION 1. Chapter 12-5 of the General Laws entitled Search Warrants is hereby 2 amended by adding thereto the following section: 3 12-5-11. Audio and video recording of private property prohibited. 4 (a) It shall be unlawful for any law enforcement officer or peace officer as defined in § 12- 5 7-21, to place on the private property of another, any audio or video recording device(s) to capture, 6 generate, preserve, transmit or otherwise document the activities on that person’s property without 7 their consent or without a valid search warrant issued by a neutral and detached magistrate or judge 8 upon a finding of probable cause. 9 (b) Any audio or video evidence generated in violation of subsection (a) of this section 10 shall be inadmissible in any criminal or civil proceeding filed against the property owner and/or 11 their tenants or guests. 12 SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage. ======== LC004521 ======== EXPLANATION BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL OF A N A C T RELATING TO CRIMINAL PROCEDURE -- SEARCH WARRANTS *** 1 This act would require law enforcement to obtain consent or a warrant before placing audio 2 or video recorders on the private property of another. A violation of this act would make any 3 evidence inadmissible in any court proceedings. 4 This act would take effect upon passage. ======== LC004521 ======== LC004521 - Page 2 of 2