Missouri bill limits warrantless stingray use

Rep. Keith Frederick (R-Mo.) introduced state legislation that would prohibit warrantless stingray use in the state except in emergency situations.

The proposed legislation, HB 403, would also prohibit a law enforcement officer from using the device to assist an investigation conducted by a federal law enforcement agency or agency from another state without the consent of the owner or possessor of the monitored communications device or a warrant issued under the act, according to a summary of the bill.

HB 403 would also require authorization to use stingrays for up to a 30-day period however, additional 30-day extensions could be granted and also specifies how and when the data obtained by the devices can be used. It also includes a provision allowing a motion to suppress unlawfully obtained information derived from the device.

The bill does allow stingrays use without a warrant in certain specified emergency situations where a victim's device was stolen.