S3045 • 2026

AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL PROCEDURE -- SEARCH WARRANTS (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.)

Passed Legislature

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

Sponsor: Dimitri, Patalano, LaMountain, Thompson, Tikoian, Famiglietti, Burke
Last action: 2026-04-02
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 (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.)

What This Bill Does

AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL PROCEDURE -- SEARCH WARRANTS (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.)

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

2026-04-02 Committee
Committee recommended measure be held for further study
2026-03-27 Rhode Island General Assembly
Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration (04/02/2026)
2026-03-05 Rhode Island General Assembly
Introduced, referred to Senate Judiciary

Official Summary Text

AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL PROCEDURE -- SEARCH WARRANTS (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.)

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

S3045

2026 -- S 3045
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LC005023
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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:
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:
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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. Warrant for a tracking device.
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(a) For purposes of this section, a "tracking device" means an electronic or mechanical
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device which permits the tracking or the movement of a person or object.
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(b) A warrant for the installation and use of a tracking device shall state the date and times
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of its issuance and the grounds for probable cause for its issuance and shall command the law
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enforcement officer to complete the installation of the device within a specific period not later than
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ten (10) days after the date of its issuance. The warrant for a tracking device shall identify the
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person or property to be tracked and specify a reasonable length of time that the device may be
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installed. The time shall not exceed fifteen (15) days from the date the warrant was issued. The
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court may, for good cause, grant one or more extensions for a reasonable period not to exceed
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fifteen (15) days each.
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SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.
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LC005023
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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 dictate the length a search warrant involving a tracking device would be
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valid and provide a process to extend the time frame of the tracking device usage for good cause.
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This act would take effect upon passage.
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LC005023
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