Amend the bill by striking out everything after the enacting clause and before the summary and inserting the following:
‘Sec. 1. 16 MRSA c. 3, sub-c. 10 is enacted to read:
SUBCHAPTER 10
PORTABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICE CONTENT INFORMATION
As used in this subchapter, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings.
Notice must be given to the owner or user of a portable electronic device whose content information was obtained by a government entity.
Except as proof of a violation of this subchapter, evidence obtained in violation of this subchapter is not admissible in a criminal, civil, administrative or other proceeding.
A person damaged as a result of a violation of this subchapter has a cause of action in court against a government entity that fails to comply with the provisions of this subchapter, and the court may award injunctive relief.’
summary
This amendment is the majority report of the Joint Standing Committee on Judiciary. It replaces the bill.
This amendment enacts provisions governing the disclosure of information regarding the content of communications conveyed using portable electronic devices such as cellular telephones. This amendment prohibits a government entity from obtaining content information concerning the substance, purport or meaning of the communication conveyed using a cellular telephone or other portable electronic device without a valid warrant, except that a government entity may obtain such information with the consent of the owner or user of the portable electronic device or in an emergency.
This amendment requires a government entity to inform the owner or user of a portable electronic device that content information was obtained from that person's device within 3 days of obtaining the information, unless the court determines there is good cause to waive the notification requirement.
This amendment provides that a person damaged as a result of a violation of these provisions has a cause of action in court against a government entity that fails to comply with these provisions, and the court may award injunctive relief.
FISCAL NOTE REQUIRED
(See attached)