Bill > SB0252

This bill updates Utah's laws regarding the seizure, retention, and return of digital devices and data by law enforcement, specifically addressing computers and portable communication devices like smartphones and tablets. The bill expands definitions to explicitly include portable communication devices and provides clear guidelines for how law enforcement can handle these devices during investigations. Key provisions include allowing device owners to request extraction of personal digital data from seized devices, with the agency able to charge a reasonable fee for this service. The bill prohibits law enforcement from requiring device owners to provide passwords or unlock devices as a condition of data extraction. The legislation also specifies new rules for returning or disposing of seized digital devices, including a requirement to notify owners within thirty days if the device is no longer needed as evidence. Additionally, the bill clarifies that law enforcement cannot condition data extraction on the owner's consent to a broader search of the device's contents. These changes aim to protect individual privacy rights while maintaining law enforcement's ability to collect relevant evidence during investigations. The bill is set to take effect on May 7, 2025.

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https://le.utah.gov/~2025/bills/static/SB0252.html