Stingray Privacy Act of 2015

To amend title 18, United States Code, to regulate the use of cell-site simulators, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Stingray Privacy Act of 2015 2. Prohibition on cell-site simulator use (a) In general Chapter 205 3119. Cell-site simulators (a) Prohibition of use Except as provided in subsection (d), anyone who knowingly uses a cell-site simulator shall be punished as provided in subsection (b). (b) Penalty The punishment for an offense under subsection (a) is a fine under this title or imprisonment for not more than 10 years, or both. (c) Prohibition of use as evidence No information acquired through the use of a cell-site simulator in violation of subsection (a), and no evidence derived therefrom, may be received in evidence in any trial, hearing, or other proceeding in or before any court, grand jury, department, officer, agency, regulatory body, legislative committee, or other authority of the United States, a State, or a political subdivision thereof. (d) Exceptions Subsection (a) does not apply to the following: (1) Warrant Use of a cell-site simulator by a governmental entity under a warrant issued under the procedures described in the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure (or, in the case of a State court, issued under State warrant procedures) by a court of competent jurisdiction. (2) Foreign intelligence surveillance Use of a cell-site simulator by a governmental entity to conduct electronic surveillance under the Foreign Intelligence Service Act of 1978 ( 50 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. (3) Emergency Subject to subsection (e), use of a cell-site simulator by a governmental entity, if— (A) such governmental entity reasonably determines an emergency exists that— (i) involves— (I) immediate danger of death or serious physical injury to any person; (II) conspiratorial activities threatening the national security interest; or (III) conspiratorial activities characteristic of organized crime; and (ii) requires use of a cell-site simulator before a warrant can, with due diligence, be obtained; (B) there are grounds upon which a warrant could be entered to authorize such use; and (C) such governmental entity applies for a warrant approving such use not later than 48 hours after such use begins. (e) Termination of emergency use (1) In general A governmental entity shall immediately terminate use of a cell-site simulator under subsection (d)(3) when the information sought is obtained or when the application for a warrant is denied, whichever is earlier. (2) Prohibition on use as evidence If an application for a warrant under subsection (d)(3) is denied, any information or evidence derived from use of the cell-site simulator shall be subject to subsection (c) and an inventory shall be served on each person named in the application. (f) Definitions As used in this section— (1) the terms defined in section 2711 have, respectively, the definitions given such terms in that section; and (2) the term cell-site simulator . (b) Conforming amendments Section 3127 of title 18, United States Code, is amended— (1) in paragraph (3) by striking but such term does not include any except such term does not include any cell-site simulator, as that term is defined in section 3119, or (2) in paragraph (4) by striking of any communication of any communication, except such term does not include any cell-site simulator, as that term is defined in section 3119

Summary: Stingray Privacy Act of 2015 This bill prohibits the use of cell-site simulators by law enforcement agencies. Cell-site simulators are surveillance devices designed to capture data from cell phones. Law enforcement agencies must obtain warrants for the use of cell-site simulators.However, agencies are permitted to use the devices without a warrant under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act or in emergency situations. Evidence obtained from a cell-site simulator unlawfully cannot be used in any legal or official proceeding. Use of a cell-site simulator outside the scope of this bill is punishable by a fine and/or up to 10 years in prison.