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 Michelle Hinchey

S 8217A requires designated platforms to establish a formal law-enforcement contact channel and comply with warrants within 72 hours.

PRINT NUMBER 8217A

Overview

Bill Number: S 8217A

Title: 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

Primary Sponsor: Michelle Hinchey

Introduced: May 21, 2025

Status: Print Number 8217A; amendments and recombination to Codes have occurred (as of May 28, 2025)

Related Legislative Action: Companion bill in the Assembly, A 8022

Purpose and Intent

The bill is designed to create a formal mechanism for law enforcement to contact designated platforms and to ensure rapid compliance with legally issued search warrants. The stated aim is to establish an orderly, timely process for handling law enforcement requests related to platform-held data or user information.

Key Provisions (as indicated by the bill’s title and summary)

Covered Platforms: The bill applies to “certain covered platforms,” defined within the bill (not fully specified in the provided summary). These platforms are subject to the new requirements.

Contact Process: Covered platforms would be required to provide a defined process for law enforcement agencies to contact the platform. This likely includes designated channels, contact points, and possibly a protocol for submitting requests.

Warrants Compliance: Platforms must comply with search warrants within seventy-two hours of service (or as otherwise specified in the statute). The provision imposes a strict time frame for action on warrants issued by law enforcement.

Scope of Requests: While not detailed in the provided materials, the provisions would govern how data requests or warrant-related actions are handled, including what data may be accessed or disclosed and under what conditions.

Who Is Affected

Law Enforcement Agencies: Gain a formal, accelerated pathway to communicate with designated platforms and to obtain data in response to warrants.

Covered Platforms: Entities designated as “covered platforms” would need to implement the contact process and meet the 72-hour compliance deadline.

General Public: Potentially affected insofar as data access and disclosures occur more quickly in response to warrants.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

Introduction and Referral: Introduced May 21, 2025; referred to Codes.

Amendments: On May 28, 2025, the bill underwent amendments and was recomitted to Codes; print number updated to 8217A.

Legislative Path: Companion bill exists in the Assembly (A 8022), indicating parallel consideration in both chambers.

Next Steps: Final floor votes, potential reconciliation between Senate and Assembly versions, and any further committee amendments.

Legislative Context and Related Information

Sponsor: Michelle Hinchey (primary)

Related Bills: A 8022 (companion)

Notable Considerations: The bill’s impact on privacy, data protection standards, and practical implementation requirements for platforms would be central to debates, including how “covered platforms” are defined and any carve-outs or exemptions.

Note: The detailed statutory language (definitions, procedures, exceptions, and penalties) is not provided in the materials above. For precise obligations and exceptions, refer to the official bill text of S 8217A and the accompanying fiscal notes and amendments.

Bill