CRIMINAL PROCEDURE -- SEARCH WARRANTS, the official text

S3045 2026 -- S 3045 ======== LC005023 ======== 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: Senators Dimitri, Patalano, LaMountain, Thompson, Tikoian, Famiglietti, and Burke Date Introduced: March 05, 2026 Referred To: Senate Judiciary (Public Safety) 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. Warrant for a tracking device. 4 (a) For purposes of this section, a tracking device means an electronic or mechanical 5 device which permits the tracking or the movement of a person or object. 6 (b) A warrant for the installation and use of a tracking device shall state the date and times 7 of its issuance and the grounds for probable cause for its issuance and shall command the law 8 enforcement officer to complete the installation of the device within a specific period not later than 9 ten (10) days after the date of its issuance. The warrant for a tracking device shall identify the 10 person or property to be tracked and specify a reasonable length of time that the device may be 11 installed. The time shall not exceed fifteen (15) days from the date the warrant was issued. The 12 court may, for good cause, grant one or more extensions for a reasonable period not to exceed 13 fifteen (15) days each. 14 SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage. ======== LC005023 ======== EXPLANATION BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL OF A N A C T RELATING TO CRIMINAL PROCEDURE -- SEARCH WARRANTS *** 1 This act would dictate the length a search warrant involving a tracking device would be 2 valid and provide a process to extend the time frame of the tracking device usage for good cause. 3 This act would take effect upon passage. ======== LC005023 ======== LC005023 - Page 2 of 2