WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

A 8022

Requires certain covered platforms to provide a process for law enforcement agencies to contact such platform, and to comply with search warrants within seventy-two hours

2025 Regular Session Introduced by George Alvarez and 20 co-sponsors

Requires certain covered platforms to provide a law-enforcement contact process and to comply with search warrants within 72 hours, speeding access to data for investigations.

REFERRED TO CODES
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · A 8022

Summary of Assembly Bill A 8022

Overview

  • Bill Number: A 8022
  • Title (summary): Requires certain covered platforms to provide a process for law enforcement agencies to contact such platform, and to comply with search warrants within seventy-two hours.
  • Status: Referred to Codes
  • Introduced: April 22, 2025
  • Primary sponsor: Phil Steck
  • Cosponsors: Judy Griffin; William Magnarelli; Brian Maher; John T. McDonald III; Jo Anne Simon; Brian Manktelow; Andrew Hevesi; Scott Gray; Joe DeStefano; George Alvarez; John Zaccaro Jr.; Marianne Buttenschon; Kalman Yeger; William Conrad; Keith Brown; Didi Barrett; Karines Reyes; Albert A. Stirpe
  • Related (companion) bills: S 8217 (Senate companion)

Purpose and Intent

A 8022 would establish requirements for certain “covered platforms” to:
- provide a defined process for law enforcement agencies to contact the platform, and
- ensure compliance with search warrants within a 72-hour timeframe.

The bill’s aim appears to be creating a formal mechanism for contacting platforms and accelerating response to lawful orders, potentially enhancing law enforcement access to information in investigations.

Key Provisions (as reflected in the bill description)

  • Scope: Applies to “certain covered platforms” as defined in the bill (definition not provided in the summary).
  • Law enforcement contact process: Platforms would be required to establish and provide a process by which law enforcement can reach the platform for official requests or inquiries.
  • Warrant compliance timeline: Platforms would be obligated to comply with search warrants within 72 hours.
  • The text does not specify additional requirements, such as data preservation, notice to users, or procedures for disputed requests, within the provided summary.

Affected Parties and Impacts

  • Covered platforms: Primary subject of the bill; would need to establish a contact process and meet the 72-hour warrant compliance requirement.
  • Law enforcement agencies: Would gain a defined, potential expedited channel and a specified timeframe for warrants.
  • Users and the public: Potential privacy and civil-liberties considerations implied by faster or more uniform data access; specifics depend on the bill’s definitions and guardrails (not detailed here).

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Introduced: April 22, 2025
  • Committee action: Referred to the Codes Committee (status indicates consideration by the Assembly Codes Committee)
  • Legislative actions noted: Referrals to Codes on April 22, 2025 (listed twice in the provided record)
  • Senate companion: S 8217 (indicating parallel or companion consideration in the Senate)

Additional Observations

  • The bill’s content in this summary is high-level; the exact definitions (e.g., “covered platforms”), any exemptions, data handling safeguards, notice provisions, enforcement mechanisms, penalties, or effective dates are not specified here.
  • If enacted, A 8022 would move forward in the Assembly’s Codes Committee process and may have a Senate companion path via S 8217.

Next Steps for Interested Readers

  • Monitor amendments and the Codes Committee’s hearings for definitions, safeguards, and potential carve-outs.
  • Review the Senate companion (S 8217) for alignment or differences.
  • Consider potential policy implications for platform operations, law enforcement workflow, and user privacy.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

Sign in to ask a question.