H7433 • 2026

AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL PROCEDURE -- SEARCH WARRANTS (Requires law enforcement to obtain consent before placing audio or video recorders on the private property of another.)

Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor: Place, Lombardi
Last action: 2026-02-11
Official status: Committee recommended measure be held for further study
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

Using official source text because the generated explanation was unavailable or could not be confirmed against the official bill text.

AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL PROCEDURE -- SEARCH WARRANTS (Requires law enforcement to obtain consent before placing audio or video recorders on the private property of another.)

What This Bill Does

AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL PROCEDURE -- SEARCH WARRANTS (Requires law enforcement to obtain consent before placing audio or video recorders on the private property of another.)

Limits and Unknowns

This entry is temporarily using official source text because the generated explanation could not be confirmed against the official bill text during the last sync.

Bill History

2026-02-11 Committee
Committee recommended measure be held for further study
2026-02-06 Rhode Island General Assembly
Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration (02/11/2026)
2026-01-30 Rhode Island General Assembly
Introduced, referred to House Judiciary

Official Summary Text

AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL PROCEDURE -- SEARCH WARRANTS (Requires law enforcement to obtain consent before placing audio or video recorders on the private property of another.)

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

H7433

2026 -- H 7433
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LC004521
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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026
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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:
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SECTION 1. Chapter 12-5 of the General Laws entitled "Search Warrants" is hereby
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amended by adding thereto the following section:
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12-5-11. Audio and video recording of private property prohibited.

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(a) It shall be unlawful for any law enforcement officer or peace officer as defined in § 12-
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7-21, to place on the private property of another, any audio or video recording device(s) to capture,
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generate, preserve, transmit or otherwise document the activities on that person’s property without
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their consent or without a valid search warrant issued by a neutral and detached magistrate or judge
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upon a finding of probable cause.
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(b) Any audio or video evidence generated in violation of subsection (a) of this section
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shall be inadmissible in any criminal or civil proceeding filed against the property owner and/or
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their tenants or guests.
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SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.
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EXPLANATION
BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
OF
A N A C T
RELATING TO CRIMINAL PROCEDURE -- SEARCH WARRANTS
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This act would require law enforcement to obtain consent or a warrant before placing audio
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or video recorders on the private property of another. A violation of this act would make any
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evidence inadmissible in any court proceedings.
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This act would take effect upon passage.
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