Bill > A02461

This bill proposes to add a new article to New York's civil rights law that prohibits law enforcement agencies and officers from using cell-site simulators (devices that mimic cell phone towers to track and intercept mobile communications) and related surveillance technologies. The bill defines key terms and establishes strict restrictions, including a ban on obtaining, retaining, possessing, accessing, selling, or using such technologies, and prohibiting agreements with third parties to do so. If a law enforcement agency violates these provisions, individuals can bring legal action in court to seek injunctions, recover damages (with a minimum of $5,000 per violation), and potentially receive punitive damages. The bill also ensures that any information obtained through prohibited surveillance technologies cannot be used in legal proceedings, except to prove a violation of the law. Additionally, the legislation provides for court-awarded attorneys' fees to prevailing plaintiffs and includes a severability clause to ensure that if one part of the law is found invalid, the rest remains in effect. The primary goal is to protect individual privacy rights by strictly limiting law enforcement's use of invasive surveillance technologies.

Government Affairs

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A2461