No. CS/HB 359
Filed under Criminal Justice.
Search Warrants; Authorizes search warrant to be issued to recover deceased body; revises time within which certain search warrants must be returned to court; specifies time period within which search warrant issued for certain devices is considered timely executed; specifies that law enforcement agency may review data or information contained in certain devices after specified periods if devices were timely seized; provides that judge may authorize law enforcement officer applying for search warrant to appear remotely; provides that judge may authorize law enforcement officer applying for search warrant or court order to appear remotely; defines "audio-video communication technology"; authorizes law enforcement agency to obtain search warrant to use drone to conduct search in certain circumstances.
Plain English Summary
AI-GENERATEDSearch warrants may now be issued specifically to recover a deceased body, expanding the grounds for issuance beyond property or documents.
The return deadline for warrants covering electronic devices is extended from 45 days to 365 days, allowing agencies a full year to process seized data.
Law enforcement officers may appear remotely via audio-video technology to apply for search warrants and court orders, removing the need for in-person court appearances.
A new exception allows law enforcement to use drones for searches if they first obtain a signed search warrant from a judge.
AIAdds a new legal basis for issuing search warrants specifically to recover deceased bodies.
AIExtends the deadline to return search warrants for computers and electronic devices from 45 days to 365 days.
AIPermits judges to allow law enforcement officers to apply for search warrants or court orders remotely via audio-video communication.
AIClarifies that a search warrant signed by a judge authorizes the use of a drone to search areas where evidence might reasonably be found.